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Cowboys' Jerry Jones has made a decision about George Pickens
The Dallas Cowboys made a big gamble in the offseason. On paper, adding George Pickens to the mix was going to work wonders for the passing game. However, Pickens had a long history of character issues, and watching Mike Tomlin essentially give up on him wasn't an encouraging sign. Fast forward to today, and the Georgia product has finally shown what he's capable of. That's why he may not be going anywhere. Jerry Jones wants to keep George Pickens around Cowboys insider Jon Machota of The Athletic reported that Jones affirmed that he's willing to spend big bucks to keep Pickens around, even though he's already committed more than $60 million a year to defensive tackles. Jones had previously been more tight-lipped about this situation, claiming that money would obviously be a factor to consider. But after watching Pickens haul in nine receptions for 144 yards and one touchdown in the 33-16 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, he may have changed his stance. Jerry Jones gushes about George Pickens' performance Following the win, the Cowboys owner/GM had nothing but praise for the former second-round pick. "Pickens was — I’ve never seen a performance like that. It was poetic the way that he was making those moves out there. It was like he was in an opera or something out there. A ballet," Jones said, per Pro Football Talk. Character concerns aside, Pickens has all the talent in the world, and his tandem with CeeDee Lamb is one of the most explosive in the league. He's up to 58 receptions on 83 targets for 908 yards and seven touchdowns in his first 10 games with the Cowboys, and he's looking at a big payday this offseason.
Adam Schefter: Aaron Rodgers frustrated Steelers let news slip
The Pittsburgh Steelers have an interesting next couple of weeks ahead of them as the organization navigates an injury to starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The four-time league MVP is said to have suffered a slight fracture in a bone in his left wrist, which is luckily his non-dominant wrist. This happened near the end of the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, and the quarterback did not leave the locker room after going in as normal for halftime. Rodgers has not been ruled out for Pittsburgh's Week 12 matchup with the Chicago Bears, and he might not miss any time at all. Throughout the second half of the game against the Bengals, it was made clear that Rodgers had some sort of hand or wrist injury. It was reported later that night that it was "feared" Rodgers may have a slight fracture in his wrist, which is exactly what wound up being the case. Rodgers is typically a very secretive individual, and it is fair to assume that he might not have liked the way that information got out and just how quickly it got out. NFL insider Adam Schefter spoke about this on "Unsportsmanlike" on Tuesday, and he believes Pittsburgh is now tightening things up. "I think what happened, me reading between the lines is, they kind of tightened the circle," Schefter said of the Steelers. "Obviously, Aaron Rogers is a private kind of guy and he probably didn't like initially that even this got out." Pittsburgh is usually pretty secretive as well as an organization, but the injury news got out quick, and Schefter believes that will force the organization to tighten things up moving forward. It is important to keep a player like Rodgers happy, and it is also crucial that he feels comfortable within the organization. As an extremely private individual, he needs to be able to trust those around him, and his injury news getting out so quickly does not help that case. A player's injury news getting out isn't the end of the world. It was going to happen at some point whether Rodgers wanted it to or not. The NFL has rules and protocols in place that force teams to be transparent about injuries to all players. However, this is the second time in roughly two weeks that things have made it to the media involving Rodgers. The injury news was broken quick, and Rodgers was also in tabloids after another player's wife spoke to the media about Rodgers' marriage — which is something he has been adamant about keeping private. Keeping Rodgers happy is crucial to this team having success, which is why Schefter is insinuating that the organization would be tightening things up moving forward. The Steelers are entering a crucial time in the season as the team has some difficult matchups coming up, and all distractions need to be limited as the franchise tries to hang onto the lead in the AFC North. Steelers still not certain who the starting quarterback will be in Week 12 Rodgers has not been ruled out for Pittsburgh's game against Chicago, and there is a chance he could start. It will all depend on how his pain feels throughout the week, and whether or not he can grip the football/take snaps from the center. Mason Rudolph played well in the second half on Sunday in relief of Rodgers, so the coaching staff should feel comfortable in starting Rudolph if that is something that has to happen. Rudolph playing well also takes pressure off of Rodgers rushing his own return, even though he certainly wants to be out on the field in Chicago.
Ole Miss HC Lane Kiffin breaks silence on reported ultimatum
The Ole Miss Rebels reportedly gave head coach Lane Kiffin a deadline of Nov. 28 to decide whether he wants to stay with the school. That was news to him. On Tuesday, Kiffin joined "The Pat McAfee Show" to discuss his future. The coach is widely considered a top candidate for the head-coaching jobs with the LSU Tigers and Florida Gators. He denied that Ole Miss gave him an ultimatum, which Stewart Mandel of The Athletic first reported. Lane Kiffin calls report false "That's absolutely not true," Kiffin said. "There hasn't been anything like that at all. And so, I don't know where that came from, like a lot of stuff that comes out there." After denying the report, Kiffin reiterated how much he loves Oxford and said he's ecstatic the team is in the thick of the College Football Playoff Hunt. As of Tuesday, ESPN's Football Power Index gives the 10-1 Rebels an 89.1% chance to make the CFP, the third-best odds in the SEC behind the Georgia Bulldogs (9-1) and Texas A M Aggies (10-0). "Like I said, man, we're having a blast," he said. "It just couldn't be better. Like I said, you pray for things. Our fans prayed for this type of thing, and now we're in the middle of it. So, enjoy it." Is Lane Kiffin telling the truth? While the school may not have issued an ultimatum, ESPN's Mark Schlabach reported that Ole Miss is "pressing" Kiffin and his agent, Jimmy Sexton, to inform the school of his decision soon. Schlabach added that Rebels athletic director Keith Carter wants to know his plans by this upcoming weekend. Kiffin may be able to provide an answer soon. He has reportedly met with Florida and LSU. Kiffin may ultimately stay with Ole Miss, where he has compiled a 54-19 record in six seasons. He's already making $9M this season, and the Rebels are reportedly willing to match contract offers from LSU and Florida. Still, Kiffin should make it clear what he wants to do soon. The Rebels host the Mississippi State Bulldogs (5-6) in the Egg Bowl on Nov. 28. He doesn't want rumors about his future to distract his team, especially when it can get even closer to securing the school's first CFP berth in the upcoming rivalry game.
NFL's decision on Ja'Marr Chase suspension was the right call
The NFL has heard the arguments from Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase regarding his spitting incident against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It did not buy what he was trying to sell. Nor should it have. NFL upholds one-game suspension for Ja'Marr Chase Chase immediately appealed the one-game suspension the NFL handed down for spitting on Steelers safety Jalen Ramsey during Sunday's game, but on Tuesday night hearing officer Jordy Nelson upheld the league's initial decision. That means Chase, the Bengals' best wide receiver and one of their best players overall, will miss Sunday's game against the New England Patriots. It was the only decision that made sense. Especially given the precedent they set early this season involving Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter. Prior to this season the NFL did not treat spitting incidents as a suspension-worthy offense, only issuing fines for them. But the league is attempting to crack down on unsportsmanlike conduct incidents, and spitting is pretty clearly high on the list. The season began with Carter being ejected from their season opener following a spitting incident involving Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Even though the NFL did not suspend Carter beyond that, it viewed his ejection as serving as a one-game suspension because he never actually played a snap in the game. Chase's incident happened late in the fourth quarter after he had played nearly a full game, and also received no penalty or ejection for it. Ramsey was ejected from the game for punching Chase in response. It is the type of thing the NFL — and all sports leagues — should have zero tolerance for and punish harshly. It goes beyond the game and has nothing to do with the physical nature of the game. It's not a heat of the moment punch. Or a borderline play that produces a dirty or illegal hit because of the speed of the game. It is a blatant act of disrespect that takes thought and effort to do. The fact Chase denied doing it, took no accountability for it and had a lame excuse for doing it despite clear video evidence showing that he did it, only adds to the issue for him. He deserves to sit a game for it. Now he will.
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