Yardbarker: National Football League

Crayton, Jackson have differing styles

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:33:56 -0500

Two premiere punt returners will meet on Sunday: Patrick Crayton of the Dallas Cowboys and DeSean Jackson of Philadelphia. They have markedly different styles. Jackson has averaged 15.6 yards with one touchdown for 14 returns. He gets his yardage with speed and elusiveness. Crayton has averaged 16.6 yards with two touchdowns, one in each of the last two games, for 17 returns. Eagles special teams coach Ted Daisher described Crayton as a ``north-south'' returner with no fancy touches...

Week 9 Preview: Giants v.s. Chargers

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:22:00 -0500

Over the course of the past week, The Giants have faced scrutiny that they have not faced since the 2006 season. Tom Coughlin and company have had to answer as to why they have dropped three straight in embarrassing fashion. Quite honestly, in the first half of this week, I didn't think the Giants had a prayer of winning another game. They had performed as bad as any team in the entire NFL the last three weeks. As the week progressed though, I began to sing a different tune. Hear...

Games to Watch on the Browns Bye Week

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:41:34 -0500

More photos » by Rob Carr - AP Bengals WR Andre Caldwell catches the game-winning touchdown against the Ravens in mid-October, giving the Bengals a 17-14 win. Browse more photos » With the Cleveland Browns on a bye this week, it'll be one of the few weeks of the season where we can't ridicule our team. Instead, we can sit back and watch some other games, assuming you don't mind being a casual f...

A Statistical Look at the Carolina Panthers Offense

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:00:31 -0500

Season Stats Carolina Total First Downs 124 Rushing 54 Passing 64 Penalty 6 3rd Down: Made/Att 33/91 3rd Down Pct. 36.3% 4th Down: Made/Att 6/10 4th Down Pct. 60.0% Possession Avg. 30:09 Total Net Yards 2230 Avg. Per Game 318.6 Total Plays 445 Avg. Per Play 5.0 Net Yards Rushing 1042 Avg. Per Game 148.9 Total Rushes 220 Net Yards Passing 1188 Avg. Per Game 169.7 ...

Muhammad unlikely to go for Panthers

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:44:43 -0500

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad is expected to miss his second consecutive game on Sunday when the Panthers take on the Saints.Muhammad is listed as questionable, but he didn't practice Friday and is expected to sit out. Muhammad started...

Taking a peek at Buffalo's remaining schedule

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:00:30 -0500

More photos » by David Richard - AP 2 months ago: The Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans helmets lay on the ground before the the Hall of Fame football game at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/David Richard) Browse more photos » It's the bye week for the Buffalo Bills, and no matter how comforting the fact that the Bills cannot lose this weekend is, a...

Preview: Washington Redskins @ Atlanta Falcons

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:00:29 -0500

Week 9 - Sunday, November 8, 2009, 1PM Redskins (2-5) @ Falcons (4-3) SERIES REDSKINS FALCONS SERIES LEADER 14-5-1 STREAKS 2 of past 3 COACHES VS. OPP. Zorn: 0-0 Smith: 0-0 LAST WEEK Bye (Wk. 7: L 27-17 vs. Eagles) L 35-27 at Saints LAST GAME 12/3/06: Falcons 24 at Redskins 14. Atlanta QB Michael Vick throws for 2 TDs & RB Jerious Norwood rushes for 109 yards & TD as Falcons score 24 unanswered points in ...

Alexander stresses special teams' need to improve

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:58:51 -0500

Despite Washington's poor production on punt returns and Coach Jim Zorn's comments earlier in the week about his intention to shake up the returner lineup, slot receiver Antwaan Randle El has retained his role as the primary returner for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons, Zorn said. Randle El will receive more help from cornerback DeAngelo Hall and top receiver Santana Moss, though Zorn would not reveal how much. This can only mean one thing: it's time for another inst...

Cowboys need 'good Romo' to avoid bad outcome

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:41:30 -0500

Clifton Brown Tony Romo thought he was done dealing with unhappy wide receivers. Roy Williams and Romo are not clicking, and Williams is wondering why‹out loud. Not exactly what the Cowboys (5-2) needed, heading into tonight¹s showdown against the Eagles (5-2). However, locker room unrest is nothing new for the Cowboys, who are riding a three-game winning streak and playing their best football of the season. "We understand what kind of football team they are,&qu...

Key matchup: Cowboys CBs vs. Eagles WRs

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:30:00 -0500

In the Cowboys Stadium regular season opener, New York Giants wide receivers Mario Manningham had 10 catches for 150 yards and a touchdown and Steve Smith had 10 catches for 134 yards and a touchdown. Since then no wide receiver has had more than six catches or more than 91 receiving yards against the Cowboys. But Jackson and Maclin represent the Cowboys' biggest challenge of the season. "Our main goal this week is to not give up [big plays]," Jenkins said. "As long as ...

Broncos announce signing of Ty Law

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:22:47 -0500

On Friday Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Ty Law was headed to Denver, and on Saturday the Broncos made it official: Law, the five-time Pro Bowl cornerback, has been signed. To make room on the roster for Law, the...

Rams get ratings; TST joins Sprint's NFL Mobile Live

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:59:40 -0500

One win will do wonders for your Nielsen ratings. The St. Louis Rams victory over the Lions last week drew a 17.8 percent market share in the STL metro, the best ratings all season for the Rams. The Rams bested some tough competition. Check this out: ...drew a higher rating than any World Series game, all Cardinals regular-season contests and is about eight times greater than an average Blues telecast. Maybe St. Louis is just one winning season away from becoming a "...

Breaking down the Cowboys-Eagles matchups

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:30:00 -0500

When the Cowboys run Averaging 147.6 yards a game on the ground, the Cowboys are ranked sixth in the NFL but haven't had a running back have a 100-yard game since Week 2. Philadelphia hasn't allowed a rusher to have more than 87 yards in a game this year, but they have shown a tendency to wear down. Plus Marion Barber and Felix Jones are healthier. EDGE: Cowboys When the Cowboys pass Tony Romo has seven touchdowns and eight interceptions in five starts vs. the Eagles in his career bu...

The Cincinnati Bengals should think about lower ticket prices to close the home schedule

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:10:01 -0500

For the third time this year, the Bengals need help selling out Sunday's game. On Friday afternoon, while the deadline approached, Local 12, the Bengals and Kroger worked together to sellout the remaining tickets available to assure that the game will be broadcasted in the Cincinnati market. Kroger and Local 12 were in large part why the Bengals were seen on local television during opening weekend against the Denver Broncos. Kroger is planning on giving away 250 pairs of tickets &qu...

How to Beat the Eagles

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:04:00 -0500

We've all seen the games between the Cowboys over the last few years. They are usually close and there are usually big plays for both teams throughout the game. Last year's season finale was the obvious exception. But with the Eagles adding another play maker in Jeremy Maclin this season and the Cowboys discovering the talent of Miles Austin it seems like both teams are primed for a shootout. While that would be entertaining for fans who like scoring I think the Cowboys would be makin...

Hopefully the last in injury reports, and Top 10

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:24:24 -0500

The Colts have had a numbing week in terms of bodies lost with SLB Tyjuan Hagler (biceps), CB Marlin Jackson (knee) and S Bob Sanders (biceps) being lost for the season. Here's the rest of the injury report for Sunday's big AFC South game against visiting Houston (5-3), as well as weekly Top 10. INJURY REPORT OUT CB Kelvin Hayden, WR Anthony Gonzalez (knee), K Adam Vinatieri (knee) -- Who comes back first is anyone's guess, although I saw one estimate (not from the team) that G...

Final Practice/Injury Report: Baltimore Ravens (4-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 10:21:42 -0500

CINCINNATI BENGALS QUESTIONABLE PROBABLE T Andre Smith (foot) RB Jeremi Johnson (knee) S Roy Williams (forearm) DT Tank Johnson (foot) S Tom Nelson (shoulder) RB Bernard Scott (knee) BALTIMORE RAVENS QUESTIONABLE PROBABLE S Haruki Nakamura (chest) LB Prescott Burgess (illness) DT Haloti Ngata (ankle) TE Todd Heap (ankle...

Colts-49ers redux

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:34:53 -0500

Two thoughts after watching the Colts' 18-14 victory over San Francisco again. The 49ers really played a smart game. Great defensive effort. That said, credit the Colts for sticking with it when everything wasn't going according to plan. The offense had to grind, the defense got tough in the second half, and despite the injuries the Colts found a way. It's the mark of a solid team, something we've come to expect. Here are the observations: * Opening kickoff is to the 6, whic...

Walker ready to bust out; Smith returns home

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:26:48 -0500

* * * Among the other things Walker said: --The Titans like to blitz, so the 49ers might need to keep extra guys in to block it up. The two-tight end sets can give the 49ers a little advantage. When Walker's in the game, the opposition usually matches that with a nickel back, which should make it easier to run, he said. --Walker's main attribute is his versatility. Last week, he entered for a few plays late in the game when Davis had cramps due to a tight tape job, Davis said. Walk...

Eyes in the Backfield-Texans

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:36:43 -0500

18 Things to watch for during Sunday's Colts/Texans game The Horse has been unkind to the Texans Last week's game was closer than we would have guessed, but a win is a win. This week, the Colts face a stiff test from division rival Houston. The Texans come in hot, having won three in a row and four out of five games. With two games still left to play with the Texans, Houston could jump back into the division race with an upset in Indy. That makes this Sunday's game a monst...

Week Nine: Fantasy Focus on the Cowboys

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:00:20 -0500

by LM Otero - AP YAC plays, such as this one by WR Sam Hurd, have helped Tony Romo's fantasy numbers tremendously. View full size photo » It's Saturday, so it's time to talk some fantasy football! Let's preview and predict which Cowboys can help you achieve victory as they fly to Philly to take on the Eagles. Make the jump for the Week 9 Fantasy Focus QB Tony Romo - If the last two seasons suggest anything about the...

Brady says he's never influenced a ref

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:44:30 -0500

Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter says that when Patriots quarterback Tom Brady wants a roughing the passer call, he just has to whine to the referee to get it. Brady says Porter doesn't know what he's talking about.On Thursday, Porter said...

Tune In Tomorrow Night!!!!

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:00:59 -0500

What’s up Yardbarkers? Hope you all had a safe Halloween!

I’m headed out to Vegas tonight. Tune in to the Mountain Network tomorrow night at 7:00pm PST for week 10 of NCAA Division I-A Football. I will be commentating on the UNLV/Colorado State game at UNLV tomorrow. Let me know what you think about the match-up!

FYI …Things are going great with the re-launch plans for my restaurant in San Diego! I’ll keep you all updated…it’s definitely going to change the Sports Bar game in San Diego… Stay tuned…

Check out my website

www.robertgriffith.org

Joe Theismann Crushes ‘Vindictive’ ; John Riggins for Dan Snyder Remarks

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:19:08 -0500

The Redskins have become a certifiable mess, and a lot of it starts at the top with owner Dan Snyder. The team is 2-5 this year despite having spent plenty of money on their talent, and the fans are unhappy, as is ownership. Former player John Riggins recently had his radio show canceled [...]

Your NFL Game Of The Week: Cowboys vs Eagles

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:10:00 -0500

Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday 8:20 p.m. Coming into week nine, I’m 6-2 with my GOTW picks. And with the Eagles and Cowboys on deck, I look to make it 7-2. Week nine comes with other big matchups including Cincinnati vs. Baltimore, Houston vs. Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh vs. Denver, but nothing trumps a game between Dallas and Philly. Especially when both teams are tied for 1st place in the NFC East. Key Matchups Tony Romo vs. Eagles' Defenders: Much has ...

Report: Bob Sanders out for season

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:04:19 -0500

Indianapolis Colts safety Bob Sanders is out for the season with a torn biceps tendon, Adam Schefter of ESPN is reporting.Sanders visited Dr. James Andrews this week, and Colts coach Jim Caldwell said today that Sanders would need surgery. But...