Texans WR Johnson misses practice, expected to play

Posted: November 3rd, 2010 | Adam Rank | Tags: Houston Texans, San Diego Chargers, Andre Johnson, Gary Kubiak

Texans WR Andre Johnson missed practice on Wednesday, but he is not expected to miss any time against the Chargers in Week 9 according to coach Gary Kubiak (via the Houston Chronicle).

“He tweaked it a little on the touchdown (28-yard catch), but he came back to the sideline, said he was OK and went back in and did it again late in the game,” Kubiak said. “Hopefully, we can get through a few weeks with him being fine and not continuing to tweak it.

“But we don’t feel like there is anything worse being done to it.”

Obviously it gives fantasy enthusiasts a start whenever Johnson limps to the sidelines. But right now, it looks like Johnson will be able to play this week.

– Adam Rank

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Moss a diva receiver; had no impact on Vikings

The recent moves by the Vikings and Patriots have exposed some obvious truths about WR Randy Moss. I might get ripped for telling the truth on this one, but that doesn’ t change the facts. Politics aside, Moss had almost no impact on the field in four games for the Vikings.

Is that really saying anything that isn’t obvious?

When the Vikings acquired Moss, my first reaction was that opposing defenses would almost always have to keep a safety over the top of coverages to protect against the deep ball, which would benefit RB Adrian Peterson in a big way by keeping a safety away from run support.

That didn’t happen. It would have, except for two reasons. Moss shows defenses immediately after the snap if the play is a run or pass, due to his half-hearted releases from the line of scrimmage on plays when he’s not involved. He’s also a non-factor in blocking.

Moss is a limited receiver in that he really only runs a few different routes. Even in the street-ball style that Brett Favre can play, Moss never figured out how that could be a benefit for him. When a player in this league gets older and his talent begins to diminish, he has to work both harder and smarter. From what I can tell, Moss definitely didn’t work harder.

If Moss had helped the Vikings win just one game in a big way, the way that Kenny Britt did for the Titans against the Eagles, then I believe they should have kept him. But that’s not what Moss was bringing to the Vikings. Diva receivers don’t win championships, and when things are tough, they never help dig you out of the crypt, either.

– Brian Baldinger

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Posted in: NFL Network  

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Emmitt Smith judges Warner’s tango

Posted: November 2nd, 2010 | Tiffany Shine | Tags: Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Warren Sapp, Dancing With The Stars, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, Anna Trebunskaya, Bruno Tonioli, Simply Irresistible

Several former NFL greats from Warren Sapp to Michael Irvin were in the audience to watch Kurt Warner compete — an upset in itself considering Warner’s performance last week seemed certain to send him home. This was the 200th episode of “Dancing with the Stars” and to celebrate, the producers invited back favorite contestants to judge the current participants. Season 3 champion and recent Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Emmitt Smith was on hand, and his iconic tango was Warner’s challenge this week. Looks like Kurt was up to the task — or, should I say, secret agent Warner was up to the task.

Warner created a 007-like character in a sophisticated tango to the song “Simply Irresistible” with partner Anna Trebunskaya. It wasn’t perfect, but Emmitt still gave Warner a perfect score. Judge Bruno Tonioli exclaimed, “You went from ‘Mission Impossible’ to mission accomplished!”

Great news if you were like me and thought Warner was a goner after last week. The audience saved him. And thank goodness, because this week he got a chance to bring Trebunskaya to a Cardinals practice. Trebunskaya is always downplaying the difficulty of Warner learning to dance. After just two football drills, her demeanor changed. A new respect for Warner emerged after she took just one trip through the agility ladder. She didn’t even try to hit a sled.

After practice Trebunskaya and warner spoke with Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who assured Warner’s partner that his former quarterback watched the show every week. “I’m going to support him always,” Fitzgerald said, who also had some words for the harsh critiques of Warner: “The judge, the guy in the middle, was sayin’ bad things about him. It’s like when someone’s attacking your friend. I was getting upset. I was like, ‘This dude is stupid.’”

On Monday, the “dude” liked Warner. After Tuesday, we’ll find out if Warner’s 61 out of 70 can keep him “Simply Irresistible.”

– Tiffany Shine

Posted in: Sidelines  

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Packers WR Jones a great pickup this week

Posted: November 2nd, 2010 | Adam Rank | Tags: Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers, James Jones, Donald Driver, Mike McCarthy, Jordy Nelson

Packers WR Donald Driver told Bill Michaels of WTMJ 620 AM in Milwaukee that he does not expect to play this week against the Cowboys (via Twitter). Driver has been battling a quad injury.

“(Driver’s) had actually two separate injuries to his quad,” Packers coach Mike McCarthy said (via the Green Bay Press-Gazette). “He initially had a quad bruise and then had a quad strain on top of it. Donald’s a fighter. Just the fact, as I’ve stated before, when he misses practice, it’s very unusual.

“We felt that giving him the time off this week, he’d be able to play in the game. He pushed through it last week but was unable to get through the Jet game (Sunday). We’ll probably take a little more cautious approach with him this week.”

Packers WR James Jones becomes an excellent option this week against the Cowboys. Dallas was lit up by the Jaguars QB David Garrard in Week 8. Feeling pretty good about QB Aaron Rodgers chances right now. In fact, WR Jordy Nelson is also an option. But Jones is the guy who should be your highest priority right now.

– Adam Rank

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Was pulling McNabb the right call?

Posted: November 2nd, 2010 | NFL.com Staff | Tags: Washington Redskins, Donovan McNabb, Mike Shanahan, Torry Holt, Mike Mayock, Charles Davis, Solomon Wilcots, Fran Charles, NFL Total Access

The Redskins said that QB Donovan McNabb did not have the “cardiovascular endurance” to run the two-minute offense, and that was why he was pulled from the game. Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan even suggested Tuesday that McNabb was tipped off about the plan in advance.

Problem is, McNabb is claiming otherwise, and says he was fine to finish the game.

NFL Network analysts Charles Davis, Torry Holt, Mike Mayock and Solomon Wilcots took their turn dissecting the odd set of circumstances at play in Washington, and if Mike Shanahan’s decision to pull McNabb was the right call.

Posted in: NFL Network  

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Wyche: Childress skewered by media

Posted: November 3rd, 2010 | NFL.com Staff | Tags: Minnesota Vikings, Randy Moss, Brad Childress, Steve Wyche, NFL Total Access

Steve Wyche reports from Minnesota, where players were shocked and surprised at the dismissal of Randy Moss, and coach Brad Childress was grilled on his decision-making by the media Wednesday.

Posted in: NFL Network  

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Eagles WR Jackson passes concussion test, great play

Posted: November 3rd, 2010 | Adam Rank | Tags: Philadelphia Eagles, DeSean Jackson, Michael Vick

Eagles WR DeSean Jackson has passed his concussion test and could play for the Eagles this week. Jackson would be an excellent play against the Colts in Week 9. (You can check out the entire list of receiver rankings.)

Jackson had two monster games playing with QB Michael Vick, who also is expected to play this week against the Colts.

Vick is another great option this week, too, although he is expected to be more cautious when he takes off and runs out of the pocket.

– Adam Rank

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