The Inquisitr » nfl

Quarterback Stafford, Wideout Johnson Iffy for Thursday Tilt Vs. Packers

Joshua Lobdell — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:06:11 +0000

Allen Park, MI (AHN) – The Detroit Lions may have to get by without Matthew Stafford and wideout Calvin Johnson for the Thursday night matchup against the Green Bay Packers.

Stafford did not practice Tuesday, and is said to have a sprained AC joint in his non-throwing shoulder. While it’s hurt, he said that it’s feeling much better.

Stafford’s first season with the Lions hasn’t been a storybook tale due to the team’s 2-8 record. He has compiled 1,911 yards, with 11 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

Johnson injured his left knee right at the start of their game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

He landed hard on his knee, and while soldiering through the pain, the injury has concerned the coaching staff.

This is not Johnson’s first bench sitting this season, as similar knee issues have kept him sidelined in two previous contests.

Johnson has rolled up 597 receiving yards on the season, as well as two touchdowns.

Both players are considered day-to-day, and their status for Thursday is questionable at best.

More Detroit Lions News and Notes

Ex-Steelers Coach Cowher Not A Fit For Bills; Not Interested In Post

Joshua Lobdell — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:55:09 +0000

Buffalo, NY (AHN) – The Buffalo Bills have approached former Steelers coach Bill Cowher, asking him if he wants the vacant head coaching job. Cowher has denied them, however, not wishing to be interviewed.

That leaves former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan as a front runner to become the Bills next coach. He’s expected to interview with them next week.

Cowher has been asked by many teams to join up since retiring from coaching at the end of 2006.

He originally was offered the head coach position of the Steelers back in 1992. His overall record was 149-90-1.

If there is one thing Cowher is looking for in a team, it’s namely an established quarterback with talent.

While he has not denied interest in coaching again, he has resolved himself not to consider any vacancies until the end of the season.

He is currently working as a pregame analyst for CBS.

More Buffalo Bills News and Notes

Chargers’ Cromartie Investigated For Bar Incident; Under Suspicion For Assault

Joshua Lobdell — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:49:00 +0000

San Diego, CA (AHN) – San Diego Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie is the target of investigation after reports said he assaulted another person with a deadly weapon during an after-hours celebration at a Pacific Beach bar.

Cromartie allegedly threw a champagne bottle across the bar. It hit a 24-year-old patron in the head. While Cromartie wasn’t arrested, the patron sustained minor injuries.

The victim was taken to a local hospital, where three staples were put in his head. He also underwent a CAT scan to see if there was any damage.

Eyewitness reports say that Cromartie approached a group of patrons, and threw the bottle into the back of the man’s head.

The cornerback claimed the bottle ’slipped out of his hand.’

On his Twitter account, Cromartie wrote: “I want to apologize to Charger nation and my fans. There’s [some] stuff out [about] me that’s not true. It will come out. God Bless.”

Cromartie’s agent told TMZ that his client did not actually throw the bottle, and that numerous people were spraying champagne everywhere.

Raiders Shock Bengals In First Game Of Gradkowski Era

Joshua Lobdell — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:35:59 +0000

Oakland, CA (AHN) – The Oakland Raiders pulled a rabbit out of their hat during Brad Gradkowski’s first showing as quarterback, sneaking past the AFC North division leading Cincinnati Bengals 20-17.

While Gradkowski’s first showing was nothing to be awed by, but he got the job done in completing 17 of 34 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns.

Adding the additional six points was kicker Sebastian Janikowski, who managed to stick a 52 yard attempt in the third quarter.

For Oakland, it was Cincinnati’s own inability to capitalize on chances and score touchdowns which sealed the deal.

The Bengals had greater output with 348 total offensive yards to the Raiders 275. They absolutely dominated the play clock, owning 38:24 of the 60 minutes.

They gave back 59 of those yards on eight penalties, however, allowing the Raiders more chances with less effort.

Oakland, which improved to 3-7, travels to face Dallas Thursday

More Oakland Raiders News and Notes

NFL’s Top Tackler Lofton Trying To Keep Falcons Defense Together

Joshua Lobdell — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:29:26 +0000

Atlanta, GA (AHN) – The Atlanta Falcons took a hard loss on Sunday against the New York Giants, watching their playoff prospects dim dramatically as they fall to 5-5.

With the 10-0 New Orleans Saints dominating their league, there only realistic hope for a playoff race is with the Wild Card, though they are behind the Eagles, the Giants and the Packers in the hunt by a game.

It’s up to the team leaders to step up, and shake off their two-game losing streak with a dramatic surge as they go into the final six games of the season.

Defensive leader Curtis Lofton must remain one of the cornerstones of the Falcons defense, and inspire the other young guys to rise up.

Overall, the Falcons have been very beatable on defense, sixth worst in the league as far as allowing total offensive yardage.

They rank in the bottom half of the league in total points allowed, and are the eighth most defensively penalized team in the league.

With veteran safety Erik Coleman not yet 100 percent, and injuries to Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood which kept them out against the Giants, the Falcons depth has taken a severe beating.

It will be literally do or die time next week, in their match-up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

While they match-up well, each loss from here on in will be a staggering setback as fewer and fewer chances to make up ground will be available

More Atlanta Falcons News and Notes

Brett Favre’s Four Touchdown Strikes Lead Vikings Past Seahawks

AHN — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:40:11 +0000

Minneapolis, MN (AHN) – Brett Favre continues to build on his legend. The 40-year-old added a couple more records to his historic career during Minnesota’s 35-9 win over the Seahawks Sunday at the Metrodome.

Favre threw four touchdown passes for the 22nd time in his career, passing Dan Marino for an NFL record. He also set a Vikings team record, completing 88-percent of his passes by going 22-of-25.

Head Coach Brad Childress said, “I think he is doing a great job of using the system to his advantage,” Childress, who received a contract extention earlier this week, added, “[Favre]’s got a good feel for all the tools that he has.”

Each of Favre’s touchdown passes went to different receivers. He found rookie Percy Harvin in the second quarter for a 23 yard strike to give Minnesota an early 7-0 lead. Later in the quarter, he hooked up with tight end Visanthe Shiancoe for an eight-yard touchdown.

It was Shiancoe’s seventh score on the year, tying his career best.

The Vikings added one more score before the half, when Favre found Bernard Berrian from three yards out, giving Minnesota a 21-0 lead after two quarters.

Favre tossed his final touchdown in the third quarter to his main wide receiver Sidney Rice.

Rice leaped over a pair of Seahawk defenders and came down with a seven-yard touchdown. It was the first of two touchdowns on the afternoon for Rice, who also caught a 34-yarder from Tavaris Jackson.

Rice, who had seven catches for 201 yards a week ago against Detroit, finished the day with six grabs for 89 yards, a team high.

Seven different Vikings caught passes. Favre said, “I thought everyone had a hand in this performance today.”

The Vikings improve to 9-1 and sit atop the NFC North. They host Chicago next Sunday in a matchup of division foes.

Favre said, “We obviously have put ourself in a very good position, as we have every week, but there is still a lot of football left to play.”

With the Vikings ahead 28-3 in the third quarter, Favre exited the game for backup quarterback Tavaris Jackson.

While going to the sidelines, Vikings fans chanted MVP, MVP, MVP.

Oh, Ricky! Williams’ Three Touchdowns Power Dolphins Over Panthers

Joshua Lobdell — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:55:05 +0000

Charlotte, NC (AHN) – Ricky Williams scored on a short dump-off pass from quarterback Chad Henne and on a one-yard run leading the Miami Dolphins to a 24-17 win over the Carolina Panthers Thursday night.

The pass play covered 14 yards, and gave him the first dual (one reception, one run) TD game in Williams’ career.

Williams also added a 46 yard touchdown romp in the fourth quarter, helping the Fins hold off the Panthers.

He finished with 119 yards on 22 carries.

DeAngelo Williams, a late decision to play due to a knee injury, helped keep the Panthers in it with 122 rushing yards on 13 carries.

The difference between his performance and that of his fellow Williams, was DeAngelo did not find the end zone.

Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme was sacked three times early on, including a pair from Joey Porter.

Delhomme finished 19-of-42 for 227 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Chad Henne was more efficient at 17 of 29 for 172 yards and a score for the Fins.

John Kasay capped a 12-play, 51-yard drive for the Panthers with a 29 yard field goal in the first quarter.

He also tacked on a 48-yarder in the final two minutes, but Carolina ran out of time.

The Dolphins improved to 5-5 and are in the thick of the AFC playoff chase.

The Panthers fell to 4-6, seriously damaging their playoff hopes.

Raiders Won’t Roam Through 2013; Reportedly Agree To Stay By Bay

Joshua Lobdell — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:36:50 +0000

Oakland, CA (AHN) – The Oakland Raiders have come to an accord with the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority regarding the team’s lease of the property. They will stay put in the Bay Area through 2013.

The original lease was set to expire in 2010; this looks to have been extended, but the deal is waiting for final approval from Alameda County and the NFL itself.

Oakland-Alameda spokesperson De La Fuente has said that the current arrangement will be maintained; the team will pay $525,000 a season to the country for lease of the Coliseum.

Should they decide to leave before their contract is up, the team will owe $5 million dollars in severance fees to the county.

A brief rumor circulated that Raiders owner Al Davis and other interested parties were considering a move to Los Angeles.

These rumors have been debunked by Chief Executive Amy Trask, who said the Raiders enjoy their location and their relationship with the county.

The Raiders have been with Oakland since 1995, when they first relocated back from Los Angeles.

They had spent the previous 13 seasons in LA, although the team’s roots and most established fan base is in the Bay Area.

That has not stopped team owner Al Davis from trying to exploit the team’s popularity with threats to move the Raiders, even to the capital city of Sacramento.

Bills Interested In Shanahan For Coaching Vacancy

Joshua Lobdell — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:30:59 +0000

Buffalo, NY (AHN) – The Buffalo Bills have shown their former head coach Dick Jauron the door, and have wasted no time in calling former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan in for a meeting.

It Is expected that Shanahan will sit down with team owner Ralph Wilson and/or GM Russ Brandon sometime next week, and talk about picking up the Bills program.

While nothing has been settled on yet, the Bills have fingered Shanahan as a person of interest, though other names do appear on a short list they’ve brainstormed.

Other people reportedly getting a look at will be Jim Haslett, and New York Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride.

Haslett has a lengthy history with the Bills, having played linebacker for them from 1979 to 1985. He is currently cutting his teeth with the Florida Tuskers, one of the teams of the UFL.

The Tuskers have hit the turf running, going 5-0 in the new league.

At present, defensive coordinator Perry Fewell is handling the head coach duties for the Bills on an interim basis.

More Buffalo Bills News

NFL Week 11 Power Rankings

Joshua Lobdell — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:02:09 +0000

1. Indianapolis Colts- They beat the Patriots, no matter who helped them

2. New Orleans Saints- Injuries in the secondary are a concern

3. Minnesota Vikings- Beating up the Lions almost shouldn’t count

4. Cincinnati Bengals- All three phases of their game are working well

5. New England Patriots- Looking for a rematch with the Colts in the post season

6. Pittsburgh Steelers- They may be a Wild Card team

7. San Diego Chargers- Hot at the most important part of the season

8. Arizona Cardinals- They are a more complete team now

9. Dallas Cowboys- At 6-3 they look headed to the playoffs, but questions remain

10. Baltimore Ravens- At 4-4 the playoffs may be out of reach

11. Denver Broncos- returning to earth after a hot start

12. Philadelphia Eagles- Brian Westbrook is hurt, and short yardage game has been an issue

13. Houston Texans- next 3 of 4 are at home, time for them to make a move

14. New York Giants- Did they fix their problems over their bye week?

15. Green Bay Packers- So many injuries on the offensive line

16. Atlanta Falcons- losers of 3 of 4

17. Carolina Panthers- QB Jake Delhomme finally is getting his act together

18. Miami Dolphins- Looking to get back to .500

19. Jacksonville Jaguars- MJD is one of the best players in the league

20. Chicago Bears- Jay Cutler throws too many picks, it is that simple

21. San Francisco 49ers- They must learn to close games out on the road

22. New York Jets- Defense cannot stop opponents when it counts

23. Tennessee Titans- RB Chris Johnson is the reason for the recent turnaround

24. Seattle Seahawks- What to say, a bad team but not the worst

25. Washington Redskins- RB Ladell Betts needs a role in their offense

26. Buffalo Bills- They got their Coach fired, never a good sign

27. Kansas City Chiefs- Beating Oakland shouldn’t count, especially since they have done it 7 times in a row

28. Oakland Raiders- It is time for Jamarcus Russell to ride the pine

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Josh Freeman and Kellen Winslow seem to be on the same page

30. St. Louis Rams- Can they right this ship?

31. Detroit Lions- Maybe they are worst off this year, than the 0-16 2008

32. Cleveland Browns- How bad are they? A team deserving to be shunned by MNF

Critics: Browns’ Mangini No Genius On Play Calling, Either

Joshua Lobdell — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:57:19 +0000

Cleveland, OH (AHN) – Like mentor, like student – Bill Belichick wasn’t the only one who made a questionable call this week. Eric Mangini’s play might have cost the health of Joshua Cribbs, the finest athlete on the team, in pursuit of all risk without hope of reward.

While Belichick’s call has divided the football world between those who find him courageous and foolish – Mangini’s call has divided those same critics between foolish and reckless.

In the Browns 16-0 loss against the Baltimore Ravens, the final play of the game was a pass play complete with laterals and risks.

The risks didn’t come through, as Cribbs got absolutely leveled by Dwan Edwards.

He went down hard, and had to be carted off the field on a backboard.

Mangini told reporters that he was wrong, and regrets his decision. “In retrospect, I’d probably do it differently,” Mangini said Tuesday, during a conference call.

“But it was competitive. I thought Josh could make something happen there. But you don’t want anybody to get hurt on any play.”

This is not the first allegation against Mangini for taking foolish risks with his players.

Running back Jamal Lewis, a practice squad player, suffered a potentially career-ending injury during an opportunity drill in which a padded player hit him when he had no pads on.

It’s also been suggested he’s working the Browns too hard, and they do not have the energy to be competitive of Sunday.

More Cleveland Browns News and Notes

Buffalo Bills fire their Head Coach

Joshua Lobdell — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:04:45 +0000

The Buffalo Bills became the first NFL team to fire their Head Coach in 2009 today when they fired Dick Jauron. To say that the 2009 campaign has been a disappointment is a vast understatement. Finishing 7-9 for the past three years, added to what looked like a decent 2009 draft, on top of the signing of receiver Terrell Owens, Bills fans were looking for something more than a 3-6 start. In fact many NFL pundits had The Bills on a list of teams on the cusp of making a playoff run. Instead they have failed to make T.O. a part of their offensive attack, and it looks like they will have to undertake a massive rebuilding effort.

One really has to feel bad for Jauron who was the AP Coach of the year in 2001 while leading the Chicago Bears, but after a few years with the Detroit Lions as Defensive Coordinator, and ultimately Interim Head Coach after the firing of Steve Mariucci, it seemed Jauron had found a home in Buffalo. He seemed secure there since the Bills are not known for giving their head men every chance at success.

However this seems to be something that has been brewing since the beginning of the current NFL season. After training camp was over, Jauron fired his offensive coordinator, Turk Schonert. Jauron was unhappy with the offensive saying it had too many formations and far too many plays. Former Bills QB, and current Bills QB Coach Alex Van Pelt was then promoted to the coordinators job and he immediately began implementing the no huddle offense designed around the old K gun offense ran by the Bills in the days of Jim Kelly.

Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell is expected to take over the team on an interim basis.

Buffalo Bills News and Notes

Eagles Back Westbrook Concussed For Second Time In Three Weeks

Joshua Lobdell — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:27:35 +0000

Philadelphia, PA (AHN) – The Chicago Bears can breathe a little easier next Sunday, for barring a charge of fortune, they will not have to deal with big playmaker Brian Westbrook in their matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Westbrook sustained his second concussion in three weeks. The second was sustained when he got sandwiched between his own teammate Jason Avant, and Chargers safety Eric Weddle.

In that third quarter, he tripped over one of his blockers, Stacy Andrews, and hit helmet-to-helmet with Weddle, getting laid out flat.

Westbrook was not able to speak with reporters following the incident.

One adage that has been long supported is that a concussion sustained makes one more susceptible to another.

The impact with Weddle may have been unavoidable, but the question on whether Westbrook was really ready to return has begun to fly on various blogs.

The All-Pro back hasn’t had the kind of year he’s been renown for. In six games, he’s gone only 225 yards on the ground, and another 156 in the air. He’s accumulated a combined total of 2 all-purpose touchdowns.

In 2007, he went for 1333 yards rushing in 15 games, and 771 receiving – 12 total touchdowns.

Pathetic Lions turn in another pathetic performance

Joshua Lobdell — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:49:37 +0000

Heading into the game between the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings no one expected the Lions to win. Heading into other game the Lions had lost 16 road games in a row, has only won one game in their last 25, and are on a steak of losing 31 of their last 33 NFL contests. However facing an unfocused Minnesota team, that in no way took their opponents serious, the Lions were able to hang around for awhile instead of getting totally blown out. In the end the Lions lost by 17, but they showed why they are without a doubt the worst team in the NFL.

We must remember that this is a team that used the 20th overall pick on TE Brandon Pettigrew instead of a Offensive of defensive lineman. At this point Pettigrew isn’t even the best TE on the Lions roster, and given the fact that Pettigrew has barely produced in this offense and that Will Heller is clearly the better TE, we have to wonder if the 20th overall pick could have been used on a bigger team need.

Rookie QB Matthew Stafford was sacked three times, but in all reality the front seven of the Vikings beat the crap out of him. He was hit at least 15 times, and his offensive line gave him virtually no protection at all. With the 20th pick the Lions could have had C Alex Mack, or Erik Wood. They could have also drafted OT Michael Oher. It now seems that any one of these three could have helped this team more than Pettigrew has.

On the defensive side the Lions gave up 492 yards to the Vikings. While they only lost by 17 points the Lions could have scored 40 points in this game and the unfocused Vikings would have been able to score 60. Again with the 20th pick the Lions could have had DT Peria Jerry, CB Vontae Davis, LB Clay Matthews, or DT Evander Hood. It now seems like anyone of those players could have made a bigger contribution to this team, than Pettigrew has.

In the end bad teams make poor decision on draft day, and this pathetic attempt at NFL football is the ultimate result of bad draft days.

More Detroit Lions news, notes, and rumors

Niners Top Bears To End Losing Skid

Joshua Lobdell — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:39:09 +0000

San Francisco, CA (AHN) – The San Francisco 49ers snapped a four-game slump with 10-6 victory over the Chicago Bears Thursday night at Candlestick Park.

Alex Smith, who took over Shaun Hill at quarterback, connected on 16-of-23 passes for 118 yards with an interception for his first win since Week 2 in 2007.Frank Gore ran for 104 yards and a touchdown.

Jay Cutler threw five interceptions, including his last in the end zone that dropped the Bears to 4-5 on the season.

The Niners improved to 4-5 after registering a 3-1 start. They are second in the NFC West behind the Arizona Cardinals.

The Bears (4-5) were close to pulling out the victory, but a key play got called back in the fourth quarter to put them in a hole they couldn’t climb out of.

Chicago is third in the NFC North behind the Packers and first-place Minnesota Vikings.

Former Nebraska RB Thunder Collins Gets Life For Murder

Duncan Riley — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:52:56 +0000

Former Nebraska RB Thunder Collins was sentenced to life imprisonment Tuesday following a guilty verdict on charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder in August.

Collins, a previous junior college All-American, was arrested in September 2008 for killing Timothy Thomas and wounding Marshall Turner. Collins claimed that he acted in self defense, and that he had no remorse for the murder “because it could have easily been me.”

Thunder received life in prison on the murder charge, and a total of 110 years on other charges including attempted second-degree murder, assault and weapons charges.

Collins didn’t take the sentence lying down however, telling the Judge only God could judge him, and that he wanted to be buried face down so his critics could “kiss my ass.”

NFL week 10 Power Rankings

Joshua Lobdell — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:29:24 +0000

1. New Orleans Saints- No matter who the opponent is, they simply win

2. Indianapolis Colts- Now they get another showdown with the Patriots

3. Minnesota Vikings- Jared Allen wants the sack title and it looks like he can win it

4. New England Patriots- Next up Peyton and the Colts

5. Pittsburgh Steelers- Running game and defense are on an upswing

6. Cincinnati Bengals- big time match up with the Steelers this week

7. Denver Broncos- The offense has begun to sputter

8. Dallas Cowboys- They are a pretty hot team for the moment

9. Philadelphia Eagles- only 1-8-1 in last 10 games decided by 6 points or less

10. Atlanta Falcons- Keep giving Michael Turner the ball

11. Arizona Cardinals- They seem to be a better road team

12. Baltimore Ravens- May face a tough fight to make the playoffs

13. San Diego Chargers- It looks like this team finally woke up

14. New York Giants- Looking to find some traction

15. Houston Texans- 5-4 heading to a bye, great shot at AFC wild card

16. Miami Dolphins- they need a big time wide out

17. New York Jets- maybe less talk, more hard work

18. Green Bay Packers- Their O line is the reason they lose

19. San Francisco 49ers- lost four in a row

20. Chicago Bears- Jay Cutler is a high reward QB that comes with high risk

21. Carolina Panthers- DeAngelo Williams is on a tear

22. Jacksonville Jaguars- 4-4, but need more road win to be a serious contender

23. Buffalo Bills- At least Jarius Byrd is having a good year

24. Tennessee Titans- Vince Young has been steady so far

25. Seattle Seahawks- next three on the road where they are winless

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Josh Freeman needs to play

27. Oakland Raiders- for the past six years they have won just 5 games each, that will continue

28. Kansas City Chiefs- Larry Johnson is gone, and they are better for it

29. St. Louis Rams- three game homestand first up the Saints

30. Washington Redskins- They have yet to score more than 17 points this year

31. Detroit Lions- Matt Stafford is clearly not the answer

32. Cleveland Browns- their season cannot be saved, and Mangini probably cannot save his job

Lions rookie QB costs them a win at Seattle

Joshua Lobdell — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:14:45 +0000

NFL fans expect rookie QB’s to struggle, as they get use to the speed of the NFL game. However most NFL fans also expect an overall number one draft pick to come in and produce for their teams. For the Detroit Lions who draft Matthew Stafford with the first pick in the 2009 draft, and paid him 41 million dollars guaranteed, that simply is not the case. In fact Stafford, who skipped his senior year in college, doesn’t appear anywhere near ready to lead a NFL offense.

This last Sunday Stafford turned in a pitiful performance filled with 5 interceptions. If that wasn’t bad enough the number of balls either under thrown or overthrown either Sunday or throughout the 2009 season are almost to numerous to count. If one watched the Detroit Lions sideline one can see the amount of frustration Stafford’s teammates have with his inability to pick up the NFL game.

This is the main problem with the NFL draft system; it gives the worst teams in the league the chance to make huge mistakes in the draft. How many times have we seen truly awful football teams draft a QB with the number one pick? More often than not these picks do not work out because the people making the picks are the same people who cannot figure out how to build a winning football team. That is the case for the pathetic Detroit Lions.

On a team that went 0-16 in 2008, a team that has made countless bad draft picks, and started 2009 by handing an under classman QB a 41 million dollar guaranteed contract is ridiculous! We could make the argument, beyond the win against the Washington Redskins, that the Lions are a worse team this year than the winless team of 2008. This is a team going nowhere and no amount of high first round draft picks can make up for the incompetence of their front office.

Walrus Wanted? Holmgren May Be Considered For Browns Post

Joshua Lobdell — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:38:05 +0000

Cleveland, OH (AHN) – The Cleveland Browns, looking for a football head to clean up the organization, are reportedly interested in former Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren.

Holmgren, 61, is reportedly on top of Browns owner Randy Lerner’s wish list for a new football czar.

In the event Holmgren, who built his reputation as head coach of the Green Bay Packers, accepts the job, he would play a similar role that vice president of football Bill Parcells performs for the Miami Dolphins.

The future of Browns embattled head coach Eric Mangini would then be determined.

Apart from Holmgren, other reported names on Lerner’s short list include former New York Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi, Atlanta Falcons president Rich McKay and former Packers general manager Ron Wolf.

In his coaching career, Holmgren has compiled a 161-111 regular season record while coaching Green Bay (1992-98) and Seattle (1999-08).

He steered the Seahawks to the Super Bowl in 2005, but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Browns have logged a disappointing 1-7 start this year.

Fourth And Done: McNabb, Eagles Fail In Pinch Vs. ‘Boys

Joshua Lobdell — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:33:54 +0000

Philadelphia, PA (AHN) – Donovan McNabb cannot win for losing.

Sitting before a snarky media gaggle at Lincoln Financial Field, choking on another tough, ugly defeat, the most accomplished quarterback in Eagles franchise history had nowhere to run.

For all his Pro Bowls and playoff wins, McNabb’s legacy in Philadelphia remains tilted toward these sullen moments.

”It’s frustrating,” he said, again and again, rolling out his characteristically cautious, meandering answers.

McNabb was far from perfect through the air — he was 16-for-30 for 227 yards, a touchdown and two picks — but the questions centered on his fourth-and-one quarterback sneak.

Depending on who you ask, McNabb either clearly nudged past the marker, or he was stuffed for a loss.

The Eagles — by way of a red challenge flag — asked the officials, who stood by a dubious spot. Replays seemed to show McNabb’s upper body a full yard ahead of where the football ended up, and his inner monologue of persecution gained another chapter.

”I felt like half of my body was past the marker,” he said. “I landed on top of one of our guys and just slid and kept on moving.

”The way they spotted the ball, they made it look like I lost a yard.”

Had the first down been awarded, Philadelphia would have had the ball in Cowboys territory and a go-ahead score likely. Instead, the defense coughed up a big play to Dallas.

The Eagles had one more chance with the ball, but on third-and-11, a Cowboys linebacker Victor Butler tripped up a McNabb scramble.

”The telltale of that game was the shoestring tackle,” McNabb said. “All I saw was green grass… I thought I was going to pick up some big yards and that’s kind of how the game went.

”It was just that close.”

McNabb is one of just four quarterbacks NFL history with more than 30,000 passing yards, 200 passing touchdowns, 3,000 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns, joining John Elway, Fran Tarkenton and Steve Young.

Interestingly, like each of those other three, he has suffered for most of his career under the specter of ambitions not attained.

Elway and Young vanquished their ghosts with Super Bowls. Tarkenton didn’t, and until McNabb succeeds on football’s biggest stage, he’ll keep banging his head on that ceiling.

He looked positively dizzy behind the podium Sunday night, it wasn’t that long ago — 2007, in fact — that he and head coach Andy Reid drew sharp criticism for not sneaking in short-yardage situations. The Eagles didn’t trust McNabb, the story line read then. He couldn’t run anymore, because of the knee injury that ended his 2006 season.

This year, he’s thrown himself into the pile despite fracturing a rib in Week 1. He’s still unable to sleep well because of the discomfort, and he’ll likely wear a flak jacket into 2010.

But his detractors want more toughness from him at big moments. Used to winning and the fourth-quarter rally, they wonder where the magic has gone.

McNabb, a weary and resigned magician, has nothing new to say.

”I know that’s something that everyone is going to talk about,” he said. “Have fun with it, I guess.”