NFL Capsules: Jets overcome injury to Sanchez to beat Bills
TORONTO — Looks like quarterback Mark Sanchez needs to take some more sliding lessons. At least the New York Jets' bid to make a late-season playoff push is back on better footing.
Sanchez threw a go-ahead touchdown pass to Braylon Edwards before hurting his right knee, and the Jets' stingy defense finished the job in a 19-13 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night.
The Jets (6-6) won their second straight game and moved within a victory of AFC East-leading New England (7-4), which plays at Miami on Sunday.
Not all the news was good.
Sanchez was wearing a brace after sustaining what coach Rex Ryan described as a mild sprain which happened when the quarterback hurt himself with a headfirst dive at the end of an 8-yard run early in the third quarter. Sanchez had hurt his other knee in a 17-6 win over Carolina last weekend, which led to the team bringing in Yankees manager Joe Girardi to provide sliding lessons for the first-year quarterback.
"He's got to understand that it's in the organization's best interests to slide, and that was disappointing," said Ryan, who added it's uncertain whether Sanchez will be able to play at Tampa Bay on Dec. 13. "I love the kid, but he's got to grow up and understand that he represents our entire organization."
The Jets, at least, didn't let down after Sanchez was escorted to the locker room.
Thomas Jones had 109 yards rushing to lead a Jets' ground attack that registered 249 yards. In two games against Buffalo, including a 16-13 overtime loss at the Meadowlands on Oct. 18, the Jets combined for 567 yards rushing.
And New York's defense did the rest, limiting Buffalo to 36 yards and four first downs in the second half.
The win was sealed with two big defensive plays to end the Bills' final drive.
Shaun Ellis burst up the middle to sack Ryan Fitzpatrick for a 10-yard loss. On the next play, Fitzpatrick attempted a desperation heave up the right sideline intended for Terrell Owens. The pass was underthrown, which allowed Darrelle Revis to intercept it with 2:02 remaining. The Jets were able to run out the clock.
"They had our number today," Fitzpatrick said. "Very disappointing. We had opportunities all day. Just real disappointed with what happened out there."
Buffalo (4-8) failed to build off the momentum it gained following a 31-14 win over Miami, and dropped to 1-2 since Perry Fewell took over as interim coach after Dick Jauron was fired.
"We just didn't get it done, bottom line," Fewell said. "But we had an opportunity to win the football game in the fourth quarter."
Revis' interception capped another solid outing for the cornerback in the Darrelle-versus-Terrell season sequel. He limited Owens to three catches for 13 yards in their first meeting. This time, Owens managed three catches for 31 yards.
"I just try the best I can," Revis said. "We know he's a big-time receiver. I get that job every week."
The game was Buffalo's second in Toronto, part of a five-year, $78 million deal the Bills reached with Toronto-based Rogers Communications last year to play one annual regular-season game and three preseason contests in Canada's largest city and financial capital.
"This is my first time going outside of the country. I got my passport for the first time," Revis said. "It was a good time."
Owens chalked up the loss to missed opportunities due to breakdowns by Buffalo's patchwork offensive line, which lost right tackle Kirk Chambers to an injured left ankle late in the second quarter.
"We had an opportunity there at the end to at least establish something, but it was too little, too late," Owens said.
The teams traded the lead three times in the first half. Down 10-9, the Jets went ahead for good when Sanchez scrambled out of trouble and hit Edwards over the middle with 44 seconds left in the half to cap a six-play, 86-yard drive.
Sanchez finished 7 of 15 for 104 yards in an abbreviated night that was a much better performance than his previous game against Buffalo, when he threw a season-worst five interceptions, including one that set up the winning field goal.
Sanchez was disappointed in himself for the way he got hurt.
"I'm probably going to take some heat for not sliding. But in the heat of the momentum I was just trying to get the first down," Sanchez said. "Tough play."
And yet, he was hopeful he won't miss any playing time.
"I'm optimistic," Sanchez said. "I'll do anything I can to play next week."
Jay Feely hit four field goals, including a 49-yarder for the Jets.
Marshawn Lynch scored on a 15-yard run and Rian Lindell had two field goals, including a 49-yarder.
NOTES: The Bills have lost 10 straight prime-time games, dating to a 13-10 win at Jacksonville on Oct. 18, 2001. They are 1-2 since opening their Bills-in-Toronto series with a 24-21 preseason win against Pittsburgh on Aug. 14. ... With 1,068 yards rushing, Jones broke the 1,000-yard plateau for a fifth straight season. Of that total, he has 319 in two games against Buffalo. ... Owens inched closer to becoming the NFL's sixth player to register 1,000 receptions. He has 994.
Jets QB Sanchez hurts right knee against Bills
TORONTO — Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez sustained a mild right knee sprain early in the third quarter and didn't return in New York's 19-13 win over the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night.
Coach Rex Ryan was optimistic about the injury, but said Sanchez would likely undergo an MRI for precautionary measures. Ryan also added it's uncertain whether Sanchez will be able to play at Tampa Bay on Dec. 13.
Sanchez appeared to be hurt when he dived head first to end an 8-yard run on New York's second possession of the second half.
He stayed in the game for two more plays before being replaced by Kellen Clemens.
"It started to hurt shortly after that play," Sanchez said. "It just didn't feel right when I got back to the huddle. I put some weight on it to bend down under center and it just didn't feel right when I tried to hand it off and get it to (David) Clowney on the end-around."
Sanchez was examined by trainers for several minutes on the sideline before he made his way with a slight limp to the locker room. Sanchez was nursing a sore left knee this week after he was hurt in a 17-6 win over Carolina last weekend.
He was 7 of 15 for 104 yards and a touchdown pass against Buffalo.
"I'm optimistic," Sanchez said. "I'll do anything I can to play next week."
The Bills lost starting right tackle Kirk Chambers in the first half because of an ankle injury, and starting linebacker Chris Draft didn't finish because of a shoulder injury.
League News
Vikings RB Peterson gets 109 mph speeding ticket
MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson could lose his driver's license after police clocked him driving at 109 mph — nearly twice the posted speed limit — on a suburban Minneapolis highway last weekend.
Peterson told The Associated Press on Thursday that he "got a little speeding ticket. I need to be more aware of the speed I was going and not let it happen again."
Peterson was pulled over just before 8:30 p.m. Saturday while driving his BMW in a 55-mph zone on state Highway 62 — a normally busy stretch of road known as the Crosstown that connects Minneapolis with southern and western suburbs, Edina police spokeswoman Molly Anderson said. She said Peterson was given a citation and allowed to drive away after what appeared to be a "very routine" traffic stop.
Anderson said police clocked the 24-year-old Peterson going 109 mph, but Peterson told the AP he wasn't driving that fast.
"But I know it was a speeding ticket, and that's what I got issued for," Peterson said.
In the police video obtained by the AP, Peterson told the officer he thought he was going "probably about 85." When told he was clocked at 109, he said, "Seriously? ... I didn't think I was going that fast."
The stop happened the night before Peterson ran for 85 yards and a touchdown in a 36-10 victory over Chicago. The All-Pro also fumbled twice, with one of them a turnover for the Vikings.
Peterson said he was headed to the downtown hotel where the team stays the night before home games. He said he was not late at that point.
"After I got pulled over, then I was late," Peterson said.
In the video, Peterson can be heard telling the officer he was trying to get to the hotel on time, adding "I know it's not a valid excuse."
The video shows Peterson's car getting pulled over, and the officer going up to the driver's side window. The driver isn't visible, but can be heard. After the officer issued the citation, he thanked Peterson for stopping instead of trying to flee, and added, "Good luck to you tomorrow."
In 2005, Minnesota lawmakers approved tougher sanctions for drivers caught at excessive speeds, and one provision requires revocation for at least six months for driving faster than 100 mph.
Peterson has 21 days from the date of the citation to challenge it in court.
Sen. Steve Murphy, a Democrat, sponsored the law to send a message about irresponsible driving.
"Mr. Peterson is going to be walking for a little while. That's an automatic suspension for anything over 100 mph," Murphy said. "Just because he can go 100 mph on the football field doesn't mean he needs to go 100 mph on our roads."
He added, "Maybe Adrian's miscue will save the life of someone else and that's the good that can come out of this."
Minnesota State Patrol Capt. Matt Langer, who wasn't involved in the Peterson stop, said whether to cite a driver for speeding or for misdemeanor reckless driving is a judgment call. Langer said it comes down to how great a risk the speeder posed to themselves or others on the road.
"Any time you speed at all it's dangerous," Langer said. "But to that extreme it's just absolutely ridiculous."
Coach Brad Childress downplayed any concern about Peterson's alleged high speed.
"I don't know. I'd stay out of the police industry, if that in fact is true," Childress said, adding: "You got to take care of yourself. You can't put yourself in harm's way."
Childress acknowledged Peterson was late to the hotel, but declined to discuss the possibility of any punishment.
"He was there shortly thereafter, and as we do with everything that's in-house stuff," the coach said.
Peterson, a first-round draft pick out of Oklahoma from Palestine, Texas, led the NFC with 1,341 rushing yards in his rookie season with Minnesota in 2007, then led the league last season with 1,760 yards rushing. He's third in the NFL this year with 1,084 yards.
Peterson has become one of the sport's most popular players, with a high national profile that includes an endorsement with Nike. He has no known prior off-the-field troubles, and he's active in the community with charity work. Peterson annually hosts a Special Olympics event at the team's practice facility, one of his favorite causes.
Minnesota (10-1) plays at Arizona (7-4) this Sunday night in a matchup of division leaders.
-- Jeff Baenen
Ruskell done running Seattle Seahawks
RENTON, Wash. — Tim Ruskell knows his legacy is set in Seattle. And it's not from presiding over the Seahawks' only Super Bowl.
It's for letting perennial Pro Bowl blocker Steve Hutchinson leave in free agency while as the Seahawks' president and general manager, a job that ended on Thursday.
That gaffe, giving Hutchinson a transition tag instead of the more restrictive franchise tag for 2006, accelerated the team's decline that cost the 20-year scout his first GM job.
"I talked to my wife the other day and said, 'Let's look at that will again,'" Ruskell joked after announcing his forced resignation weeks before his five-year contract ended in Seattle.
"It says 'burial.' But let's go for 'cremation' — so they won't be able to write, 'Here lies the man that lost Hutch' on my tombstone."
That was the biggest of many missteps with which Ruskell is more easily identified now that Seattle is 8-19 in the last two seasons.
The team's ownership gave Ruskell full authority to shape the franchise soon after he arrived before the 2005 season. He remade the defense, including with the deft drafting of overlooked linebacker Lofa Tatupu, and that first team brought Seattle its only Super Bowl.
Since then, Ruskell has presided over failed top draft choices, expensive free-agent busts — and the awkward ouster of popular coach and former GM Mike Holmgren at the end of his contract this past January.
Ruskell brought in his own coach for 2009, Jim Mora. The 4-7 Seahawks are on their way to a second straight season without a playoff berth. Last season they finished 4-12, their worst record since 1991.
This week, Ruskell asked the team if he was going to have his contract renewed so he could begin planning for offseason moves. Owner Paul Allen, the Microsoft Corp. tycoon, and chief executive Tod Leiweke told Ruskell no, so he left.
"Obviously there's great sadness today but I will leave here with great memories of this place and the people," Ruskell said, his voice breaking while holding back tears during a morning news conference attended by his sister and the team's staff.
Later, he walked into the team's indoor facility to watch practice. After practice, players lined up to hug their now-former GM, who says he may take a break from the game after 28 years in it.
"We were surprised," quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said of the news that came to the players from Mora during an unscheduled, five-minute morning meeting.
"Just a class act. You could tell he cared about the team," the co-captain said. "He's hurting just as much as we are with the way things are going."
Seahawks vice president for player personnel Ruston Webster will serve as interim general manager.
Ruskell admitted he underestimated how difficult this season would be with a new coach, two new coordinators and a dozen new starters.
"It didn't happen quickly enough," he said, "but it wasn't because we didn't do it right."
Leiweke said he expects Mora to remain the coach in 2010.
Mora looked stunned and sounded concerned at losing the man who gave him his second go-round as an NFL head coach. Ruskell was Atlanta's assistant GM who helped hire Mora as the Falcons' rookie coach in 2004.
"I'm disappointed that we didn't perform better and didn't give him the help that he needed," Mora said.
When asked if he felt uncomfortable that his guy is gone, Mora answered tersely that his concerns were with Ruskell and how he's handling the move "and that our focus is quite simply on getting better" and beating San Francisco on Sunday.
Leiweke said Webster would be a good GM candidate, and added "stability is something we will try to push for."
No conceivable candidate knows the Seahawks better than Holmgren, who became their longest-tenured and winningest coach from 1999-2008. The first four years he was also their GM.
Holmgren has declared his desire to return to the NFL after one year away. He took 2009 off as a promise to his wife and family but now says he wants to return to football. He hasn't specified where, or whether it is to coach or be an executive.
But he has long coveted a second chance to be a GM. He's often said how much he admires the position Bill Parcells, a good friend and another former Super Bowl-winning coach, now has atop the Miami Dolphins' franchise. Holmgren still owns a home in the Seattle area.
When asked whether Holmgren is a candidate, Leiweke said, "I'm just not going to go there. I'm just not going to talk about that today."
Beyond the Hutchinson fiasco, there was a huge contract Ruskell gave to Shaun Alexander — before the former MVP went bust in two years. Ruskell also traded a first-round pick to New England in 2006 for wide receiver Deion Branch. He then gave the former Super Bowl MVP a $39 million contract with $13 million guaranteed. Branch has had seasons with 53, 49, 30 and now 26 catches — plus two knee surgeries.
Branch was one of the first players to hug Ruskell after practice.
"For him to receive all the blame is wrong. The stuff that's going on in the organization all falls back on the players," Branch said. "It's sad. I truly respect him. ... I'm thankful for him."
-- Gregg Bell
Police: Not enough evidence in Cromartie case
SAN DIEGO — Police said Thursday there is not enough evidence to prove a bar patron's claim that San Diego Chargers cornerback Antonio Cromartie hit him in the head with a champagne bottle hours after the team's victory at Denver.
Monica Munoz, spokeswoman for the San Diego Police Department, said the case will not be sent to the City Attorney's Office for potential prosecution because the investigation found there was not enough evidence to prove a crime occurred.
She said the case has been inactivated. If any evidence comes to light that would indicate there was a crime, the case could potentially be reopened, she said.
Cromartie had been under investigation for assault with a deadly weapon.
Detective Gary Hassen said a witness claimed Cromartie threw a champagne bottle but the player said it slipped from his hand.
A man sustained a cut to the back of his head but nobody was hospitalized or arrested early on Nov. 23.
Security stepped up for Fla. football trifecta
MIAMI — Law enforcement officials — not tailgaters — were getting stoked Thursday outside Land Shark Stadium, rolling out an impressive display of equipment to protect Miami's postseason football trifecta: the Orange Bowl, Pro Bowl and Super Bowl No. 44.
The message was not subtle: anyone, terrorist or otherwise, plotting an attack on any of these high-profile events had best think again.
"It's not enough for us to tell you we're going to do this. We have to show you," said James Loftus, director of the Miami-Dade Police Department.
A swath of the stadium parking lot was filled with armored SWAT vehicles, bomb-handling robots, mobile command posts, explosive-sniffing dogs, even a large X-ray device used by the U.S. Homeland Security Department to screen ocean-going shipping containers. The federal coordinator this year is Coast Guard Rear Adm. Steve Branham, who commands the district based in Miami.
"We're at the ready. We have good, strong relationships in place that we're drawing upon," he said.
The Super Bowl, to be played this year on Feb. 7, is annually designated a special security event requiring ramped-up protection. This year, officials added the Jan. 5 Orange Bowl and Jan. 31 Pro Bowl because they're being played at the same venue, as well as the concerts, parades, parties and other happenings that go along with games.
"High-profile events are something that terrorist groups would love to interrupt somehow," said Anthony Mangione, chief of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Miami office. "We can't just think of the stadium. There are events all over the place."
Miami has hosted nine previous Super Bowls, most recently in 2007.
-- Curt Anderson
Vikings' Harvin is NFL offensive rookie of month
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin has been named the NFL's offensive rookie of the month.
The award for November was announced by the league Thursday.
Drafted with the 22nd pick in the first round out of Florida, Harvin had 317 yards and three touchdowns receiving in four games last month. He also rushed four times for 54 yards and averaged nearly 30 yards per kickoff return. The Vikings went 4-0 in November.
Harvin leads all rookies with seven touchdowns this season. Five of them are receiving, and he has returned two kickoffs for scores.
The last Vikings rookie to receive the monthly honor was Adrian Peterson in both September and October 2007. The last Vikings rookie receiver to get the award was Randy Moss in November 1998.
Woodson named NFC defensive player of the month
GREEN BAY, Wis. — The NFL has named Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson NFC defensive player of the month for November — the second time Woodson has won the award in a three-month span this season.
Woodson, who has seven interceptions this year, also won conference defensive player of the month honors in September.
Woodson is coming off a standout performance in a victory at Detroit on Thanksgiving Day. He intercepted two passes, running one back for a touchdown, adding a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre was named NFC offensive player of the month.
Browns given blackout extension
BEREA, Ohio — The NFL has given the Cleveland Browns a 24-hour extension to sell the remaining tickets for Sunday's game against San Diego and avoid a TV blackout.
As of Thursday afternoon, the Browns said there were "a few thousand tickets" left. For a game to be aired on local TV, the league requires a game to be sold out 72 hours before kickoff.
The Browns have until 4 p.m. Friday to sell the tickets. The team has not had a game blacked out since its expansion return in 1999.
After Sunday's game, the Browns have three more home dates. A Dec. 10 game against Pittsburgh is already a sellout, but there are tickets available for games against Oakland and Jacksonville.
Bengals get extension to avoid blackout
CINCINNATI — The Bengals got a 24-hour extension to sell out their game against Detroit on Sunday and avoid a local television blackout.
It's the fourth time this season that the Bengals have gotten a one-day extension for a sellout. They managed to sell out games against Denver, Houston and Baltimore, extending their streak to 50 straight games shown on local television.
The Bengals (8-3) would clinch only their second winning record in the last 19 years with a victory over the Lions (2-9).
Cardinals say game vs Vikings is sold out
TEMPE, Ariz. — There was no need for another 24-hour extension on the television blackout deadline this time.
The Arizona Cardinals say their game Sunday night against the Minnesota Vikings has sold out.
Arizona has needed a blackout deadline extension from the NFL four times already this season before it got sellouts.
League rules require that games be sold out 72 hours prior to kickoff in order for them to air live on local TV.
The Cardinals now have sold out all 40 games at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, which opened in 2006.
Rams RB Jackson fined $5K for tossing ball
ST. LOUIS — St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson has been fined $5,000 for throwing a ball into the stands. He does not plan on appealing.
Jackson said Thursday he knew the fine was coming after he scored in the final minute of Sunday's loss to the Seahawks. He said he just wanted to toss a present to the handful of fans who were still around at the end of the game.
The game was blacked out on local television with announced attendance of 47,475 the worst for the franchise in 15 seasons in St. Louis. The Rams are 1-10.
Jackson had 89 yards rushing despite being hindered by back spasms. He expects to play Sunday at Chicago even though he's missed two days of practice this week.
Injuries
Coach says he expects Arizona QB decision Sunday
TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt said he doesn't expect to decide who will start at quarterback on Sunday night against the Minnesota Vikings until just before game time.
Kurt Warner and Matt Leinart split practice time with the starters again on Thursday, and Whisenhunt said he has made no decision.
"You want to make the decision now but certainly we've got to see how everything goes with Kurt," Whisenhunt said. "Even though he may feel great today, there might be a situation where something could come up."
Warner, who sustained a concussion against St. Louis on Nov. 22, took all the practice time with the starters last week but sat out Sunday's 20-17 loss at Tennessee because of lingering symptoms. That left Leinart the starter without much preparation.
Warner said he feels much better this week but Whisenhunt is putting off his decision in case there are any late setbacks.
"You've just got to make sure. He could be ready to go Saturday and then something could happen Sunday and certainly once again you would err on the side of caution," Whisenhunt said. "I'm sure in some manner or shape it will be a Sunday decision."
Meanwhile, the Cardinals could be without starting left tackle Mike Gandy, who has not practiced this week because of a pelvis injury. Jeremy Bridges would be Gandy's replacement. If Gandy can't start, it would end a string of 31 consecutive games in which Arizona has had the same starting offensive line.
Tight end Stephen Spach also didn't practice because of a sore knee.
Three starters were limited in practice — linebacker Karlos Dansby (shoulder), cornerback Bryant McFadden (knee) and running back Tim Hightower (thumb).
-- Bob Baum
Freeney returns to Colts practice
INDIANAPOLIS — Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney returned to practice Thursday and cornerback Kelvin Hayden worked out for the second straight day, meaning both could play Sunday against Tennessee.
Freeney missed last week's game with an abdominal injury. Hayden has missed four straight games with a knee injury.
Indy had 23 players on its practice report, and seven missed both practice days.
Two players out were receiver Anthony Gonzalez, who hasn't played since the season-opener, and kicker Adam Vinatieri, who has missed the last six games.
Other key players who sat out both days include running back Donald Brown (chest), defensive tackle Keyunta Dawson (knee) and left tackle Charlie Johnson (foot).
Bolts likely to be without defensive trio
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Chargers likely will be missing some key defensive players when they visit the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
Outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, end Luis Castillo and safety Eric Weddle aren't expected to play after missing Thursday's practice.
Merriman has been bothered by a foot injury and hasn't practiced all week. It's a soft tissue ailment that has proved problematic. He would be replaced by rookie Larry English.
Castillo hasn't played or practiced since hurting his ankle in the win over Denver on Nov. 22. Alfonso Boone is filling in for Castillo in the starting lineup.
Weddle is expected to miss the next two games with a knee injury. In his absence, Paul Oliver and Steve Gregory will be part of the mix, depending on the package the Chargers are employing.
Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams sits out practice
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina's DeAngelo Williams missed his second straight practice with a sprained ankle, which could leave replacement quarterback Matt Moore without the Panthers' top running threat against Tampa Bay.
With Jake Delhomme sitting out again Thursday with a broken finger on his throwing hand, Moore is expected to get his first start since 2007.
Williams was injured in last Sunday's loss to the New York Jets and hasn't practiced this week.
Receivers Muhsin Muhammad (knee) and Dwayne Jarrett (ankle) also missed practice, leaving Steve Smith as Carolina's only healthy regular receiver.
Running back Jonathan Stewart (Achilles' tendon) and fullback Brad Hoover (ankle) practiced after sitting out Wednesday.
Turner sits out another practice for Falcons
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner sat out another practice because of a high ankle sprain, raising more doubts that he'll be ready for Sunday's crucial game against Philadelphia.
Turner missed a game after initially spraining his right ankle at Carolina on Nov. 15. He re-injured the ankle in last week's victory over Tampa Bay.
Also missing practice Thursday were two other offensive starters, guard Harvey Dahl (ankle) and receiver Michael Jenkins (ankle). The Falcons have already ruled out quarterback Matt Ryan with an injured big right toe.
Center back on field after first absence
ST. LOUIS — No matter how sorry the St. Louis Rams' season, Jason Brown wants the team to know they can always count on him.
Not just on game day, either.
Brown expects to make his 56th consecutive start on Sunday at Chicago. He'd never missed a practice in his career until Wednesday, when he was held out as a precaution after spraining his right knee in last week's loss to the Seahawks, and was back on the field on Thursday.
Coach Steve Spagnuolo has been impressed with Brown's durability, and his unwavering dedication during a 1-10 season.
