Sunday News and Notes in the NFL

Sunday, November 12, 2006

 

Here are news and notes from OffshoreInsiders.com  private clipboard.  They are compiled from hometown newspapers and the team’s own press releases.

 

Rams-Seahawks

Seattle Post Intelligencer

Home field hasn’t always been that big an advantage in this series. The Rams won the division title in 2003, and beat the Seahawks at Qwest Field. The Seahawks won the division title in 2004, but lost to the Rams twice at home—once in the regular season and again in the first round of the playoffs. The Rams won four of five during the 2003 and ‘04 seasons. The Seahawks have won the past three meetings.Since entering the Week 6 game against the Seahawks at 4-1, the Rams have lost three in a row. Since beating the Rams 30-28 in St. Louis, the Seahawks have dropped two of three.  MasterLockLine.com has the top plays from the top sports service in their highest ranked sports.    

Chiefs-Dolphins

Sun Sentinel

Dolphins defensive end David Bowens didn’t practice Friday because of a strained hamstring suffered during Thursday’s session. Bowens is listed as questionable on the team’s injury report for Sunday’s game against visiting Kansas City. For Kansas City, two injured starters – linebacker Derrick Johnson (ankle) and right tackle Kevin Sampson (foot) – were officially declared out Friday. Keyaron Fox will start for Johnson, while Kyle Turley, who had an offseason tryout with the Dolphins as a tight end, replaces Sampson.Former Dolphins strong safety Sammy Knight also was added to Kansas City’s injury list as probable with an ankle injury. Joe Duffy’s sports betting selections are at www.GodsTips.com  

Bears-Giants

NY Times

Two weeks ago, Awasom was on the practice squad, but when LaVar Arrington was lost for the season with an Achilles’ injury and Osi Umenyiora sustained a hip injury against the Cowboys on Oct. 23, Awasom was promoted to the roster.Awasom, who has never started a game in the N.F.L., could replace Michael Strahan, who is sidelined two to four weeks with a sprained right foot. “We have all of those defensive linemen working together in different spots and that will end up being a game-time decision,” Coach Tom Coughlin said. “He is ready to go.” Umenyiora and another defensive end, Justin Tuck, will most likely miss the Bears game, along with linebacker Brandon Short (quadriceps). “I am not worried about theguys that are playing right now,” Coughlin said. “We’ve just got to put the emphasis on those that are playing and make sure they are prepared. They know what they are doing and they know what their responsibilities are.” In spite of the injuries — including wide receiver Amani Toomer (knee), who is out for the season — the Giants have won five consecutive games and the locker room was upbeat Friday after practice. Approved sportsbooks are at www.linetrackers.com   

Saints-Steelers

Post Gazette

The Steelers (2-6) try to stop a three-game losing streak against the New Orleans Saints (6-2) at Heinz Field.

Redskins-Eagles

Washington Post

Wide receiver Santana Moss was upgraded to probable on the Washington Redskins’ injury report, but a final decision on whether he can play will be determined before tomorrow’s kickoff in Philadelphia. Moss, tight end Christian Fauria, who was upgraded to probable with an ankle injury, and a handful of other players will be given fitness tests during warmups before the game. Moss is Washington’s top producing wide receiver over the past two seasons. Neither Brandon Lloyd nor Antwaan Randle El has topped 200 receiving yards for the season; they combined for two catches and 26 yards last week against Dallas. Lloyd missed Thursday’s practice with a mild groin problem but returned to the field yesterday and said he will play. Fauria made a quick turnaround yesterday after missing practice all week and needing a walking cast on his left ankle. Like Moss, he was upgraded from questionable to probable on the injury report. Wide receiver David Patten (hamstring), tackle Jon Jansen (calf), tight end Chris Cooley (shoulder) and cornerback Carlos Rogers (thumb) practiced and are expected to be available to play tomorrow. Cornerback Shawn Springs, who missed most of training camp and the first half of the season with groin and abdominal injuries, was rested yesterday as a precaution, but will play tomorrow, Gibbs said.  Stevie Vincent’s BetOnSports360.com is pioneer in forensic handicapping and part of OffshoreInsiders.com    

Jets-Patriots

Newsday

The Patriots have beaten the Jets seven straight times, including once already this season, and are looking to make it eight at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.

Broncos-Raiders

SF Gate

Raiders’ defense is already ranked third league-wide in red-zone defense, second in pass defense and tied for sixth with 10 interceptions. The Raiders have scored 92 points in eight games. The defense has scored 20 of them (plus three extra points), and spoon-fed the offense 16 more with turnovers in the opponents’ territory.

Packers-Vikings

St. Paul Press

Linebacker Napoleon Harris (dislocated left wrist) and wide receiver Marcus Robinson (bruised lower back) were ruled out of Sunday’s game, meaning a second consecutive start at middle linebacker for Dontarrious Thomas.

Childress, asked if he’s concerned about Harris’ injury dragging on, said he didn’t know. “It’s a pretty good injury,” he said. “He’s got to be able to play and play at a high level, not just be a body in there.” Defensive end Darrion Scott (left ankle sprain) practiced but remains questionable, and Childress said he wants to see how the ankle responds. Rookie Ray Edwards would start if Scott can’t play. Everyone else is expected to play, including fullback Tony Richardson (thumb) and defensive tackle Pat Williams (knee), who were upgraded to probable. For the Packers, wide receiver Greg Jennings (questionable-ankle) made it through a portion of practice but had to stop because of soreness and will be a game-time decision. MasterLockLine.com has the top plays from the top sports service in their highest ranked sports.    

Cowboys-Cardinals

Star Telegram

Cowboys wide receiver Terry Glenn practiced briefly Friday after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday with a lingering right knee injury. Glenn is listed as probable on the injury report for Sunday’s game against Arizona but said it will be a game-time decision. He has chondromalacia, a roughening of the cartilage under his kneecap, and said he has trouble cutting.Glenn had three catches for 26 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown, against Washington last week after getting a shot to numb the pain before the game. He said he will likely have to do the same in order to play against the Cardinals. If Glenn doesn’t play, rookie Sam Hurd will likely replace him in the lineup. Stevie Vincent’s BetOnSports360.com is pioneer in forensic handicapping and part of OffshoreInsiders.com    

East Valley Tribune

The Cardinals will face a 3-4 defense Sunday for the first time since the season opener, a twist a struggling offense may not need right now. The reality is the Cardinals have regressed on offense as the season has progressed. Arizona has just 442 yards and 23 points in the two games since Mike Kruczek was promoted to offensive coordinator, and the Cowboys feature the fifth-ranked defense in the NFL. Coach Dennis Green kept his offensive line the same this game, choosing to stick with Chris Liwienski at right guard instead of putting the now-healed Milford Brown back in. That was in part because Green felt the running game showed some signs of life in Green Bay, when Edgerrin James ran for 84 yards (on 24 carries). Green also expressed optimism quarterback Matt Leinart wouldn’t continue to slump. Leinart’s passing rating the past two games is 44.4.  Joe Duffy’s sports betting selections are at www.GodsTips.com    

 

49ers-Lions

Inside Bay Area

Hoping to improve their play away from home, the 49ers have ended a short-lived experiment in which they departed for road games in the eastern or central time zone the day before the game. “That was a mistake,” coach Mike Nolan said Friday shortly before the 49ers flew to Detroit, where they’ll play Sunday against the Lions. Nolan decided to change the 49ers’ traditional departure day for road games during an off-season evaluation of the team’s play last season, when the 49ers won only one of their eight games away from home. The Niners Vernon Davis’ comeback from a cracked right fibula apparently will have to wait until at least next week’s game against Seattle. The rookie tight end was again held out of practice Friday and remained doubtful for Sunday’s game at Detroit. The outlook was more promising for safety Chad Williams (quad) and cornerback Walt Harris (hip pointer). They were both upgraded from questionable to probable after going through Friday’s practice. Williams sustained the hip pointer during last Sunday’s 9-3 win over Minnesota. Harris missed the Minnesota game after suffering a quad injury during a midweek practice.