NFL Capsules - NFC Teams: Eagles aim to stay perfect post-bye under Reid
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Whatever the Philadelphia Eagles do when coach Andy Reid gives them a week off works perfectly.
Under Reid, the Eagles are 12-0 following a bye. They're looking to extend that winning streak when they host the Dallas Cowboys (3-3) on Sunday night. It's another must-win for the Eagles (2-4), who can't afford to lose any more after a poor start.
Given Reid's success after a bye, the Eagles might want to petition the NFL to have two weeks off like they did in 1993.
"I get asked that every year, and I don't think there's any secret," Reid said Wednesday. "You just do what you do. We're going to practice just like we did last week and the week before that, and so on. So I don't know if there's any secret to it."
Linebacker Jamar Chaney thinks it's more than just a fluke.
"The great coaches make adjustments," he said. "Halfway through the season, you have to make adjustments and that's one thing you do at halftime when you go in and on the sideline. And pretty much whenever you have your bye, you're going to make adjustments, go ahead and scout your team and see what they're doing good and what they're doing wrong and come back and make those corrections. And I think he's been doing a good job of that."
Reid and the rest of the coaching staff already made some adjustments that helped the Eagles beat the Redskins 20-13 in Week 5.
On offense, Reid abandoned his pass-first philosophy for one game at least. LeSean McCoy had a career-best 28 carries and the Eagles had more rushing attempts (38) than passes (32).
The biggest change came on defense where the Eagles altered their wide-nine scheme against the Redskins. Opponents had an easy time running the ball when Philadelphia put its ends way outside in the wide-nine. Defensive coordinator Juan Castillo, in his first year at the position after switching from the offensive line, closed the gaps, moved the linebackers closer to the line of scrimmage and brought safety Kurt Coleman up to create an eight-man front. The results were excellent.
"The more time you have with each other, the more you can feel each other out and stuff like that," defensive tackle Mike Patterson said. "So that's what it came down to, team chemistry. That's how I feel at least. You know, when guys are trying to do what we do, we have to gel together. I think everybody's starting to learn how each other are playing."
The defending NFC East champions are sitting in last place, two games behind the New York Giants. It's a long way from where the Eagles expected to be at this point. The team entered the season with Super Bowl aspirations after a wild, summer spending spree brought several big-name players to Philadelphia.
But a four-game losing streak followed a season-opening win at St. Louis. The win at Washington saved the season temporarily. Losing to the Cowboys would put the Eagles in a seemingly insurmountable position, and could signal the beginning of major changes.
The team isn't ready for that.
"The outcome is going to affect both teams tremendously," quarterback Michael Vick said. "We just want to go out and put our best foot forward, get another win and keep moving."
Notes: DE Trent Cole and LT Jason Peters both practiced and are expected to start after missing the last two games. ... This will be the first time the projected starting offensive line will play together in the regular season. ... Reid downplayed comments made by CB Asante Samuel regarding being on the trading block last week. "Asante and I talk," Reid said. "I'm not worried about that at all. He loves to play the game and we're going to move forward. I don't have any comments past this, and I know he doesn't, so we're moving on here."
Samuel takes a shot at Eagles' management
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Unhappy he was trade bait, Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel criticized management and compared the team's front-office to people who play fantasy football.
"Couple people upstairs might not want me, but who cares. They've probably never played football," Samuel said Wednesday. "It's a business and they run it like a business and they're going to do what they need to do. They're playing with a lot of money, playing fantasy football, doing their thing."
Asked if he was referring to general manager Howie Roseman and president Joe Banner, Samuel replied: "Howie and Joe? I don't know, do they fit the comment I made? "There ya go. You think they're upstairs playing fantasy football with the owner's money?"
Samuel, a four-time Pro Bowl pick, said he doesn't have any problem with coach Andy Reid.
"Me and Andy talked, cleared it up, everything is good," Samuel said. "Everything has been good with me and Andy. That's my guy, that's who I play for, that's who I continue to play for. I go to war for Andy. It is what it is, all the other stuff upstairs."
Samuel's name has been mentioned in trade rumors since Philadelphia acquired cornerbacks Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in July.
"When they traded for Dominique, I was happy. When they signed Nnamdi, definitely was happy," Samuel said. "But when they made the call to me and said they were trying to trade me, that's when it went bad. I know it's not a rumor. I know it's a fact. They called me. They called me and my agent. Talked to both of us."
Reid spoke to reporters early Wednesday, and said neither he nor Samuel were going to discuss the trade speculation.
But after Samuel's critical comments post-practice, Reid issued the following statement:
"I am aware of how Asante felt and we have since talked. We both left with a positive feeling going forward. As I have said previously, when we acquired Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha, we had received numerous calls on the availability of our cornerbacks.
"After discussing significant trade offers with other teams, we decided to keep all three cornerbacks on our team. Asante is a valuable member of our team and we appreciate all that he brings to this organization. As far as my relationship with Howie and Joe, I have a great deal of respect for both of them and I know we are all on the same page."
Samuel signed a six-year, $57 million contract with the Eagles in 2008. He's due to make $8.4 million next year and $10.4 million in 2013.
The Eagles (2-4) meet the Cowboys (3-3) in Philadelphia on Sunday night.
Young sued for assault at Dallas strip club
DALLAS (AP) — Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Vince Young is being sued by a Dallas strip club manager he allegedly punched in the face last year. Creiton Kinchen claims in a lawsuit filed in a Dallas court Tuesday that the 28-year-old Houston native and former University of Texas star hit him "suddenly and without provocation" at the club.
Kinchen, a manager at Club Onyx in Dallas, says he refused to convert $8,000 off Young's credit card into single dollar bills for tip money. Kinchen says Young was drunk at the time of the June 12, 2010, scuffle. Young was cited for misdemeanor assault. He has said that he was provoked and "made a mistake even being there."
Tom Condon, Young's agent, could not immediately be reached Wednesday for comment.
Redskins find ways to cope without key players
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Santana Moss sat on the floor near the back door of Redskins Park with his left hand wrapped. John Beck and Trent Williams sat on facing couches talking about sprained ankles. London Fletcher stood in the locker room and answered questions about his tender hamstring.
And Jonathan Compas, on his first full day as a member of the Washington Redskins, shook hands as he took up residence at his locker, a temporary metal stall placed in the center of the room to accommodate a fresh set of new bodies for a team more than a little banged-up.
"That's what people have been telling me," Compas said. "That they've been injured, yeah?"
No kidding. By now, it seems as if everyone should know the list. Three offensive starters have been placed on injured reserve in the last two weeks, and two more are missing substantial time. If Compas had breakfasted with the starting quarterback, he'd already have the full scoop.
"Good football teams can recognize when there is a challenge, where there is adversity, and say, 'We're not going to let it bother us,'" Beck said. "Because it is different. When I was having breakfast this morning, we were talking about it, how, 'OK, we have a handful of guys that are down. That's odd.' That usually doesn't happen, but we believe in the guys that we have and we believe that we can play very good football, and that's our plan."
The Redskins (3-3), having lost two straight, are having to fight that "What next?" feeling and keep the faith. Usually, for injured teams, that comes in the form of three standby mantras, all uttered Wednesday by middle linebacker Fletcher:
— "Nobody's going to feel sorry for us."
— "A football game's still going to be played on Sunday."
— "Whoever's in has to play well. That's just the way it is."
While all NFL teams are dealing with injuries, it's unusual to have this many in such a compressed time. Here are the latest developments from Wednesday:
— Moss, who had screws inserted into his broken hand during surgery, said doctors told him he'll be out three to six weeks, a bit more optimistic than the five to seven weeks originally announced.
"It happens. I hate to be the guy that it happens to," said Moss, whose string of 61 straight starts comes to an end. "I hate to not be out there. I feel like you let somebody down when you can't be out there with the guys that depend on you."
— Fletcher, who has never missed a game in his 14-year NFL career, has a streak of 214 straight games in danger because of his hamstring. He did not practice Wednesday.
"It's a long way between now and Sunday," he said. "Just continue to try to get better and see how I feel."
— Having placed tight end Chris Cooley (knee/finger) and running back Tim Hightower (knee) on IR earlier this week, the Redskins filled the roster spots with offensive lineman Compas and tight end Dominique Byrd. They have played in 17 NFL games combined.
Compas adds depth to a line that is missing left guard Kory Lichtensteiger (out for the year with a torn right ACL) and left tackle Williams (sidelined with a high right ankle sprain).
The surprise was the Redskins didn't add a running back to the 53-man roster, leaving rookie Roy Helu and oft-injured Ryan Torain as the only tailbacks. Rookie Evan Royster remains on the practice squad, and running back Tristan Davis was signed to the practice squad Wednesday. Guard John Malecki was released from the practice squad to make room.
Coach Mike Shanahan said fullback Darrel Young could play tailback, if necessary.
— Shanahan said Cooley was placed on IR on the advice of doctors, who felt the tight end needed to give his left knee some rest and "not over-push it like he has been doing." The injury leads to questions about Cooley's future in Washington, but Shanahan said he hopes to have all his injured players "back and playing at a real high level."
— Rex Grossman was released after being hospitalized since Monday with pneumonia. He planned to come to Redskins Park on Wednesday night to review film and is expected to be ready to back up Beck for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills at Toronto.
— Starting safety Oshiomogho Atogwe, who missed last week's loss to Carolina with a knee injury, was limited in practice.
Beck represents the only lineup change by design, preparing for his second Redskins start after Grossman was benched. As much as anyone, he presents an upbeat and optimistic vibe, and he continues to handle things just a little bit differently. Asked for a quick review of his first start — a 33-20 loss to the Panthers — he answered politely: "You know what? I don't want to be rude, but I'm really trying to move on to this week."
But wouldn't he use what he learned from that game to move on?
"Yeah," he said. "OK, sorry. I'll answer it."
He then spoke about big third-down plays made by young players and a decent game from the patchwork offensive line.
"I feel like it's a big difference when we step into this week," Beck said. "Because last week was so new. You're trying to get comfortable with each other, but it's not going to happen overnight."
At least Beck can count on the support of his coach. Asked about the quarterback's performance against Carolina, Shanahan put to rest the notion that the switch from Grossman might be temporary.
"It's the first of many games for him," Shanahan said. "I'm looking forward to seeing him just grow as a quarterback and get that game experience. I think he's a natural leader, and now we get to see him in live situations, so that's something I'm looking forward to."
-- Joseph White
Giants pairing Webster vs. foe's toughest receiver
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — With the Miami Dolphins coming to town, cornerback Corey Webster knew his assignment before the New York Giants discussed their gameplan.
Webster will be paired against Brandon Marshall no matter where the Dolphins' big wide receiver lines up Sunday. There might be some plays the Giants either switch the coverage or elect to play a zone, but for the most part, coordinator Perry Fewell is assigning the opposition's top receiver to Webster.
So far, it's working out. Two weeks ago in the Giants' final game before the bye, Webster limited Bills standout Stevie Johnson to five catches for 39 yards and one touchdown. He broke up three passes and intercepted two others, with the last one igniting a late game-winning fourth-quarter drive for New York (4-2).
Fewell said the move was made to challenge Webster a bit.
"We did that a little last year in the second part of the season, when we played Philly," Fewell said. "He really did a good job on (DeSean) Jackson, we thought, a year ago. We just thought, 'Hey let's challenge Corey a little bit. Let's give him some confidence and let's let him see that we have confidence that he can go out there and do this for us and we'll play around him.' He's answered the challenge."
Earlier in his career, Webster was upset with the coaching staff for failing to assign him the best receiver. However, that wasn't necessary in recent years with Terrell Thomas playing the other cornerback spot. Both players were good in coverage so it didn't make a difference.
This year has been different though. Thomas suffered a knee injury in the preseason and was lost for the season, pushing Aaron Ross back into a starting spot.
Ross got off to a slow start this season, and his game didn't pick up until he was benched for a half against St. Louis in the second game of the season.
That increased the pressure on Webster and he is having a season worthy of Pro Bowl consideration despite playing in the shadow of the Jets' Darrelle Revis, who is the gold standard for NFL cornerbacks.
Webster has his own method for judging how he plays.
"I want zero catches," he said Wednesday after the Giants practiced for their game against the winless Dolphins (0-6). "It doesn't matter what receiver I am playing. I hold myself to a higher standard. I don't want to give out any catches. I want to be a complete player. I like interceptions but if we don't get them, I don't harp on it."
Webster is a seven-year veteran from LSU.
"We want to be a complete cornerback, so I want to come up, make tackles, be physical with the receivers," he said. "I don't hang my hat on whether I'm being put on the best receivers. I'm the same person every time. I want to be great no matter which receiver lines up in front of me."
Going against Marshall, Webster knows he is going to get a physical receiver who likes to use his size to get position, something he equated to a basketball player boxing out for a rebound.
The negative for Marshall, whose 34 catches is third in the AFC, is that he is not as fast getting off the line of scrimmage.
"You want to stay close to him, plaster him, so he can't use his body," Webster said. "You want to control the line of scrimmage."
As far as the interceptions, Webster isn't worried about them. He didn't have any in the first five games and then came up with two against Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Bills.
"We always say they come in bunches," Webster said. "Sometimes you are doing what you are supposed to be doing as a cornerback or defensive back and you may not get as many interceptions as you would like. As a DB, we want them all. When the ball is in the air we want to put our hands on it when we have an opportunity. Sometimes you don't get credit for staying close in coverage but you know if you keep working hard the interceptions will come."
Fewell said defensive backs always can't be judged solely on interceptions.
"I'll measure it by this; we don't call his name too much," Fewell said. "I'd like to keep it that way, except when he gets interceptions."
The two interceptions by Webster tied his career high for a game, the last time coming against Dallas in 2008.
NOTES: For the first time all season, the Giants had everyone practice. It is expected that DE Justin Tuck, RB Brandon Jacobs and G Chris Snee will all play after sitting out against the Bills on Oct. 16. Rookie FB Henry Hynoski seems less likely as he continues to battle the effects of a neck injury that sidelined him against Buffalo. ...First-round draft pick Prince Amukamara worked with the scout team. It also appears the cornerback (broken foot) may have to wait to make his NFL debut.
-- Tom Canavan
Bears' Forte piles up yards
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Matt Forte continues to pile up yards and add to his bargaining power. Unable to land the contract extension he wanted, Forte is producing in a big way for the Chicago Bears. At 4-3 and with two straight wins, they head into their bye weekend looking more like a playoff team after a rough start.
They can thank Forte, who leads the league with 1,091 yards from scrimmage and is challenging the record set by Tennessee's Chris Johnson (2,509) in 2009.
"It lets me know that the hard work in the offseason pays off," Forte said Wednesday. "It makes you feel good that I'm being successful on the field, and I want to continue to be successful out there."
The payoff for Forte could be a lucrative contract when his rookie deal expires at the end of the season. He came into the season seeking an extension, but couldn't get one, so talks stopped.
He was reportedly offered a deal that guaranteed about $13 million or $14 million, but might have been looking for something closer to the five-year, $43 million contract with $21 million guaranteed that Carolina gave DeAngelo Williams.
The Bears can place the franchise player tag on him if he hits the open market so they still have some power at the moment. Either way, they'll have to pay to keep him.
For now, he might be the league's biggest bargain, making $600,000 this season.
He's third in the league with 672 yards rushing after going for 116 or more yards in three of the past four games, and is averaging 5.4 yards per carry on the season. He also leads the Bears in receptions (38) and yards receiving (419).
Forte was so good in the Bears' 24-18 win over Tampa Bay in London on Sunday, running for 145 yards and a touchdown, that linebacker Brian Urlacher called him "the best player in the NFL right now."
QB Jay Cutler had more praise on Wednesday.
Asked if there is a better all-around running back, he said, "Nah, not even close. What he can do (on) first, second and third down in the passing game and the running game, inside and outside — if we lose him, we've got a lot of issues."
Forte continues to excel even though he's running behind a line that still ranks among the league's worst.
The blocking has been better of late and so has the balance, with the Bears committing more toward the run after ignoring it at times. If he continues at this rate, he'll finish with 2,494 yards from scrimmage.
That would put him second on the single-season list just behind Johnson and ahead of Marshall Faulk, who came through with 2,429 yards for St. Louis in 1999.
Back then, Mike Martz was the Rams' offensive coordinator. Now, he's running the Bears' offense, and what Forte's doing might be more impressive.
After all, Faulk had Orlando Pace blocking for him in his prime.
"Well, they're different guys, but they certainly do the same kinds of things," offensive coordinator Mike Martz said. "The intelligence there — the football IQ is off the charts with Matt. You can tell him in the classroom and he has it. He is not one of those guys who you have to go up to and walk through it or anything like that. There are just so many things you can do with him. His speed is really unusual. Getting him in the perimeter is a priority. He's become a terrific inside runner. There really isn't anything he can't do very well or understand, which makes him pretty darn good."
Notes: In an interview posted on the team's website, GM Jerry Angelo indicated he has no interest in bringing back former Bears WR Bernard Berrian after he was released by Minnesota. "Right now we're doing everything we can to get our receivers in a groove. We just talked about Roy. Then there's Johnny Knox, Devin Hester and Earl Bennett will be back now," Angelo said. "It's not about the quantity of receivers; it's about the quality. What Bernard can do well, we have receivers who can do those same things. We certainly have respect for Bernard and like Bernard. We just don't want to run up and down the starting line because when you bring players in they take reps, and then whose reps does he take?" ... Bennett, who's been sidelined since Sept. 18 with a chest injury, is looking forward to playing again. He practiced last week but did not play. "That'll mean a lot," he said. "I'm a competitor. I like to go out, play, play hard. We definitely got to get this victory, keep this win streak going."
-- Andrew Seligman
Vikings coach says cutting Berrian not 'personal'
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — Leslie Frazier is widely considered one of the nicest men in the NFL, a high-integrity, high-class type of head coach.
That doesn't mean he's a pushover. Frazier has proven he has a no-nonsense side to him in his first year in charge of the Minnesota Vikings, and the latest and largest of his difficult decisions came this week.
Bernard Berrian, a veteran in an already-thin group of wide receivers, was waived. Chris Cook, the team's best cornerback in pass coverage for what has been a leaky secondary, was suspended without pay following a felony charge for domestic assault by strangulation.
The week before, quarterback Donovan McNabb was benched in favor of rookie Christian Ponder.
The distractions this season have been fewer than last, when Brett Favre, Randy Moss and Brad Childress were in the middle of all kinds of controversies, but this is one of those weeks when the Vikings can't escape or ignore the extracurricular activity.
"It resembles our record," linebacker Erin Henderson said. "We're a 1-6 team, and we want to try to eliminate those things. We want to try to get rid of any distractions that might come about playing in this league and playing in the NFL and playing for the Vikings. We just want to go out and play games and win them without all the side stuff going on. It's unfortunate it had to happen that way, but that's the way it is. You just try to eliminate it and keep moving forward."
Cook is the fourth player arrested this year, but his charge is by far the most serious. Frazier said Wednesday he and the rest of the organization are "disappointed" and "disturbed" by the allegation that he twice tried to strangle his girlfriend at his home over the weekend after becoming angry she had contact with an ex-boyfriend. The woman was found by police with hemorrhaging in her eye and a bloody nose and upper lip.
"The fact that he will be suspended from our team really lets you know how concerned we are about what happened," Frazier said, declining to provide more information about his Tuesday conversation with Cook or when, if ever, Cook can rejoin the team. He's on the reserve/suspended list and can be replaced on the active roster by another player immediately.
Frazier said he was "in shock" Saturday after learning Cook was in jail.
As for Berrian's situation, that was simmering for weeks.
"Just a matter of what was going to be best for our team," Frazier said. "One of the things I explained to our football team: Every decision that's made is based on what's best for our team. It has nothing to do with it being personal or anything like that. It's what best for our team."
Frazier was careful not to overtly criticize Berrian, who had a total of only 343 yards receiving, no touchdowns and no receptions longer than 30 yards since the start of last season while getting paid like a No. 1 receiver. He didn't directly answer a question about whether Berrian's attitude and effort were satisfactory.
"Bernard expressed to me he really wanted to be a part of our team and help our team to be successful, but for what we're trying to do and where we are, it's just so important that every guy tries to adhere to the way we want to get it done," Frazier said. "It's one thing to say what I'm going to do. It's another thing to do those things. And for us, we're trying to build something for the long term, not the short term, so you've got to make decisions based on the bigger picture."
Berrian, according to one report, missed two team meetings and was put on the inactive list for the Oct. 9 game against Arizona. He had his most productive game of the season Oct. 16 at Chicago, but last week against Green Bay he was a healthy scratch again. Berrian told Frazier he wanted to stay in a meeting Monday, but he was waived Tuesday.
"One of the things we looked at was performance for sure. You'd like to get more from the position," Frazier said.
Frazier, clearly, has been trying to create a culture of accountability since he took over, and he has shown he's not afraid to sacrifice short-term stability for the sake of what he believes is right. Despite being one of the most durable players in the league at a critical position where the Vikings had no proven replacement, left tackle Bryant McKinnie was let go during training camp after arriving overweight.
"There are going to be situations. It's going to happen. And how you handle those determines a lot of what type of success you'll have long term. Handling adversity is big deal in our league, in sports and life in general," Frazier said.
Ponder said he "didn't have much of a reaction" to Berrian's departure.
"Coach Frazier's done a really good job of keeping distractions away from us and kind of staying the course. Coach Frazier handled that deal, and I think he handled it well," Ponder said.
-- Dave Campbell
Vikings likely to be without Herrera this week
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings cornerback Antoine Winfield will be a full participant in practice Thursday, hoping to test his injured neck and see if he can play in Sunday's game at Carolina.
Winfield wouldn't specify details about his injury after participating on a limited basis Wednesday, but said it's "more than a strain" and that the decision on whether to play is all his. Winfield has missed the past three games because of the problem.
"The test will be (Thursday)," Winfield said. "I'll put on the pads, do a little more hitting, see how I feel after that."
Guard Anthony Herrera has damaged his surgically repaired left knee and is unlikely to play against the Panthers. Coach Leslie Frazier said Herrera will probably be listed as doubtful on the injury report after damaging the lateral collateral ligament in the knee. Herrera was not on the field for Wednesday's practice.
Center John Sullivan has been cleared to return from his concussion after missing the last game against Green Bay. The same goes for safety Jamarca Sanford.
Receiver Percy Harvin didn't participate Wednesday, but will put pads on Thursday to gauge how his bruised ribs handle contact. Frazier said Harvin is feeling better and expects him to play this weekend.
Running back Adrian Peterson and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe also sat out Wednesday's practice. Peterson hurt his ankle in Sunday's game, but said the injury wasn't serious, and Shiancoe was listed with a foot problem.
Winfield hasn't played since he was injured in the second quarter while tackling Chiefs running back Dexter McCluster on Oct. 2. With Cedric Griffin coming off two major knee surgeries in two years and Chris Cook suspended after being charged with felony domestic assault, the Vikings (1-6) could sorely use Winfield on the field against the Panthers.
Winfield said an MRI came back clean this week, but he and the team are being cautious because of the potentially serious nature of neck injuries.
"I don't want to rush myself, get in there and really do some damage," said Winfield, one of the most physical cornerbacks in the league. "My style of play, I love contact, I love to hit, so the neck is very important to me. If it was my shoulder or maybe my foot I'd be out there playing. But, the neck, you want to take it a little slower."
Stafford practicing following ankle injury
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford was able to practice Wednesday on his injured right ankle, although backup Shaun Hill took some snaps with the first team.
"It feels OK. It's sore obviously, but it's made progress since Sunday," Stafford said. "If I'm healthy enough to play, I'm going to try to be out there. It's yet to be seen if I can get to that point, but if I can, then I want to play."
Stafford was hurt toward the end of Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Coach Jim Schwartz said Monday he was day-to-day as the team began preparing for next weekend's game at Denver.
Schwartz didn't say anything definitive on Stafford's status Wednesday.
"Getting better every day and hopefully we can keep him on that track," Schwartz said. "If he's able to go on Sunday then he will. He's our starting quarterback, but we have to be prepared in any case."
Stafford was on the field with his helmet on and his footwork looked fine as he participated in throwing drills Wednesday, although he wasn't required to move around much during the portion of practice open to reporters. He was able to jog in short stretches.
He played in only three games last season because of shoulder problems, but Stafford got off to a brilliant start this season, helping the Lions to a 5-0 record before they dropped their last two games. Schwartz said the fact the Lions have an open date after the Denver game won't make the team any more cautious with Stafford.
Hill threw for 2,686 yards in 11 games last season, filling in for Stafford. The Lions went 6-10 but won their last four games with Hill and Drew Stanton playing quarterback. It was Hill's first season with Detroit.
"I approach every week the same, no matter what," Hill said. "Just being in the system a little bit longer — I think that helps everybody."
If Stafford is able to play, it will be an NFL version of college football's big Georgia-Florida matchup, which is also this weekend. Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow was a star at Florida. He split games against Stafford and Georgia in 2007 and 2008.
''That was always a fun game in college," Stafford said. "He's a great competitor, great leader, always made his guys play to another level, and he's continuing doing that in the pros."
-- Noah Trister
Saints face second straight winless team
METAIRIE, La. (AP) — The task for Saints coach Sean Payton this week might be tougher than it was last week.
In a 55-point win over the Colts, Payton gave up his role as the Saints' play-caller to offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr., after spending the start of last week in the hospital following knee surgery.
Now, Payton must find a way to keep his team's attention as it prepares for another winless team, the St. Louis Rams (0-6). That hasn't been a problem in the past.
The Saints are 6-3 under Payton against winless teams following the first week of the season. Two of those losses, however, were in the second week of the season.
The only one of those losses that came in the middle of the schedule was against the 0-8 Rams in 2007 when the Saints were on a four-game winning streak.
Four years later, Payton has led the Saints to a Super Bowl victory and back-to-back playoff appearances. The Saints (5-2) currently lead the NFC South.
His message this week has been one of consistency.
"If you really aspire to be a really, really good team, then you can't be back and forth," Payton said. "You have to have some consistency in your play. There's going to be weeks where you don't play your best football and yet you still find a way to win."
Heading into the Saints' 62-7 win over Indianapolis, Payton pulled the team aside and lectured the players about how, despite a 4-2 start, they hadn't played their best football. New Orleans responded with a record-setting performance, tying the NFL mark for most points in a game since the 1970 merger, setting a team mark for margin of victory, and a myriad of other franchise scoring records.
Producing another such performance is enough to keep their focus, Drew Brees said.
"The fact we know the type of team we can be and how well we can play (keeps focus)," Brees said. "We don't want to be a week-to-week team. We want to be a team that is consistent. We know what we expect from ourselves. We've set a standard for how we're going to play every time out."
St. Louis could be without starting quarterback Sam Bradford again this week as he continues to battle back from a high left ankle sprain. And the Rams are 31st in the NFL, allowing 28.5 points per game, and 32nd in scoring, putting up just 9.3 points per game.
Running back Pierre Thomas said the Saints won't look at any of those stats nor will they pay attention to the Rams' record.
"You don't want to go out there thinking about the other team and what their record is or what they've done in their last game," Thomas said.
For New Orleans, it gets back to Payton's message. To get back to the Super Bowl, to be considered a great team, it has to handle games like this upcoming Sunday just like it did against Indianapolis.
"The good teams, and not just the good teams but the great teams, they're able to do that, and we want to be one of those teams," Brees said.
Notes: The Saints moved running back Chris Ivory from the reserve/physically unable to perform list to the active/physically unable to perform list. New Orleans now has 21 days to decide whether to bump him to the active 53-man roster or part ways. Ivory led the team in rushing in 2010 with 716 yards. . Running back Mark Ingram (right heel), linebackers Jonathan Vilma (left knee) and Jonathan Casillas (left knee) and defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis (right ankle) didn't practice. Right tackle Zach Strief (right knee) practiced on a limited basis for the first time since injuring his knee on Sept. 25 against Houston. . The Saints cut quarterback Sean Canfield and signed tight end Tory Humphrey.
Panthers receiver Smith happy he returned
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — When Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera met with Steve Smith back in April all he asked of the star receiver was a chance.
A chance to prove that Smith would love playing for the Panthers once he got to see the team's new offensive scheme. A chance to prove the team would find ways to use his tremendous athletic skills. A chance to prove the organization was committed to finding a franchise quarterback to get him the ball.
Smith took that chance and both sides are thrilled he did.
Rivera has a star receiver who has been a huge help to rookie Cam Newton while Smith is enjoying a renaissance of sorts at 32, leading the NFL with 818 yards receiving.
"I've been sitting on the shelf for about two years, just collecting that dust," Smith said. "Get the cobwebs off, throw on a little WD-40 and let me go to work."
The excitement is back in Smith's voice, and for good reason.
He's on pace to shatter Jerry Rice's single-season record of 1,848 yards set in 1995. Smith has four games with at least 140 yards receiving and is averaging 21 yards per catch. He's averaging 116.8 yards receiving per game, second only to New England's Wes Welker.
That's fairly remarkable considering as recently as July, Smith still wasn't sure he wanted to come back to Carolina.
Smith, who has two years left on his current contract, didn't publicly demand a trade in the offseason, but it was pretty clear he was open to such a move.
"We talked about (his future) and it was a great conversation," said Rivera, hired in January to replace Fox after a 2-14 season. "He really voiced his opinion and concerns about us and about what he had gone through the last couple of years. I just told him to give us a chance and let things unfold."
Smith was frustrated over the way he was used the past two seasons and it's hard to blame him.
After posting a 1,421-yard season in 2008, Smith's numbers dropped dramatically the last two seasons as he became more of a decoy in Fox's run-first offense. After four straight 1,000-yard seasons, Smith had 982 yards receiving in 2009 and only 554 in 2010.
Rivera assured him things would be different this season, advising Smith to think about it during the NFL lockout. Smith spent the offseason contemplating what to do, even saying he considered retirement at one point after his wife had a health scare.
Smith had plenty of folks trying to keep him around, including Newton. The rookie quarterback said he went to Smith's home in South Charlotte hoping to convince him to return.
"I told him straight up, I'm not going to lie to you and fill your head up with things you already know," Newton said. "But one thing I am going to do is throw my submission letter into the suggestion box just like everybody else and try (to get you to stay)."
Newton said Smith talked about his career aspirations during that visit. Newton promised to help him reach them.
"I told him, 'Whatever you want me to do, I will do it," Newton said.
Newton and Smith worked out together in Charlotte after that and got to know each other on a personal level, forming a bond both have said has been crucial to their early-season success.
After much contemplation with his family, Smith met with Rivera again two days before the start of training camp after the lockout ended.
"Coach Rivera asked me, 'Are you all in?'" Smith said. "I told him that I only know how to do things one way -- and that's all in. I said, 'I'm here. I'm all in."
Nobody was happier to hear that than Rivera.
Rivera has studied Smith on film at length, but one play stuck in his head more than any other — a reception that didn't even count. It was against Arizona, where Smith leaped into the air to make a sensational catch on a ball that was thrown slightly out of bounds.
"He went up and made this catch and I thought, 'God, he has the got the kind of ability where if we can just keep him around and get him to look at our offense, that he can really be something,' " Rivera said.
There's no telling where the Panthers, or Newton for that matter, would be without Smith.
He not only gives Newton a big-play threat, he also has the speed and athletic ability to open up things for the team's other receivers, including tight ends Jeremy Shockey and Greg Olsen.
Olsen watched Smith from a distance before coming to Carolina this year and had always been a fan. He said his appreciation for Smith grew tenfold after watching him practice in training camp.
"He's been unbelievable," Olsen said. "And it's more than just the stats. His demeanor, his attitude and just the way he comes to work every day. I think that's outstanding. For the young guys to be able to see a guy continue to work hard after 10-plus years in the league, that sets a great example."
Olsen, like so many others, is happy Smith decided to return.
"There aren't many of those top elite receivers in the league — and he's been one for a long time," Olsen said.
-- Steve Reed
Edwards might not be ready to face Browns
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — As much as Braylon Edwards wants to get back on the field Sunday for the 49ers, he won't do it if it means risking further injury to his surgically repaired right knee.
Even if it's his old Cleveland team coming to town. The veteran wideout wants to be healthy for the long haul.
"If the knee's not ready, then we're not going to go, regardless of who it is," Edwards said after practice Wednesday. "If the knee is ready, then so be it. It just so happens to be a team I used to play for."
49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday he is less optimistic about Edwards returning for Sunday's game with the Browns (3-3).
Edwards practiced Tuesday for the first time since his injury early in the game Sept. 18 against Dallas, the lone loss for San Francisco (5-1) so far. While he looked to be running and cutting well during the short portion of the workout open to the media, Harbaugh said Wednesday there still needs to be "more evaluation" of Edwards this week to determine his status for Sunday.
"I'm not as confident as I was or as optimistic as I was the other day," Harbaugh said. "It will be determined over the next couple days."
Edwards was back on the practice field Wednesday running routes and catching passes from quarterback Alex Smith and certainly appeared to be full strength. Smith threw to Edwards some during the bye week, too.
Could this be a little gamesmanship on Harbaugh's part to keep the Browns' "salty" defense — as he refers to it — guessing ahead of the game? You never know with the Niners' first-year coach, who insists he needs no friends across the league but only those within team headquarters and the players he goes to work with every Sunday.
Cleveland native and San Francisco safety Donte Whitner figures Edwards will do all he can to get on the field Sunday at Candlestick Park.
"I hope he does. I think he will," Whitner said. "I'm sure he'll be pretty fired up to play against those guys, and I would be too if I used to play for them."
Harbaugh said several other injured players he hoped to have back also remain question marks for Sunday, including right guard Adam Snyder (right shoulder stinger), linebacker Parys Haralson (hamstring) and cornerback Tramaine Brock (broken left hand).
"I might have been a little overly optimistic in general about the guys who may be back for this ballgame," Harbaugh said. "We'll assess it and sort of take it day by day. I might have been overly optimistic how far along some of the fellas were. ... The guys are going through something right now and they're working through it."
Edwards spent the first five seasons of his NFL career with the Browns, making the Pro Bowl in 2007, before playing the past two with the New York Jets.
The 49ers are eager to get him back for his big-play ability, especially after losing Joshua Morgan to a season-ending leg injury Oct. 9 against Tampa Bay. Morgan underwent surgery to have pins inserted in a broken bone in his lower right leg.
"You hope to get him back but who knows," Smith said of Edwards. "It'll be a little adjustment. He's out for a few weeks coming back."
The 28-year-old Edwards received a $3.5 million, one-year contract in August, giving him a fresh start out West in the West Coast offense run by Harbaugh, another Michigan man who challenged Edwards to take responsibility for his actions at last.
Harbaugh and Edwards walked off the practice field together Wednesday before the wide receiver chose his words carefully while addressing the media.
"It's one of those things where it's new," Edwards said of his comeback. "Getting back out there, it's a mental thing as well as a physical standpoint, you have to see where you are — so, running full speed, and then kind of gauge and trying to bend a little extra or go a direction and see how your body and your limbs handle it, and so far it's been OK."
Edwards made 53 receptions for 904 yards and seven touchdowns last season for the Jets and was determined to build on that with his new team. Until the injury delayed his progress.
Edwards, the No. 3 pick in the 2005 draft who has four catches for 48 yards this year, had his share of legal run-ins as well as successes during his tenure with the Browns. His father, Stan, has said he never felt his son was embraced by the Cleveland fans because of his Michigan ties.
No hard feelings for the younger Edwards at this stage of his career.
"They gave me an opportunity. They drafted me in the first round in 2005, so I'm very grateful to that society and the organization for taking a chance," Edwards said. "Had some good times, we had some bad times, as you do in life. But I hold no grudges toward anybody there and I still have some friends from that area."
A Cleveland judge spared Edwards jail time in July but extended his Ohio probation by one year for violating terms by driving drunk in New York City in September 2010.
In January 2010, he pleaded no contest in Cleveland to aggravated disorderly conduct after being accused of punching a friend of NBA star LeBron James.
While on his 18-month probation from the Cleveland case, Edwards was charged with driving while intoxicated in his Land Rover in Manhattan in September 2010. Police said his blood-alcohol level was twice the legal limit.
Now, Edwards' lone focus is getting back to helping the 49ers reach the playoffs after an eight-year absence — and not disrupting an offense that's going so well.
"I'm optimistic with anything. I'm 28. I want to be out there," Edwards said. "It's pride, it's confidence, it's just wanting to get back out there. It's competition, but I have to be smart. That's one thing my mom talks to me every day about: 'You have to be smart about it Braylon, just relax and see how it goes. Don't force yourself. If I'm not ready, then I'm not ready.'"
NOTES: C Jonathan Goodwin was limited in practice because of a concussion. ... FB Moran Norris, who had been expected back to practice this week, wasn't in uniform as he continues to heal from a broken left fibula.
-- Janie McCauley
Whisenhunt says criticism of Cardinals justified
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt says criticism of quarterback Kevin Kolb and all the rest of the team is justified.
The embattled coach says with the Cardinals 1-5 and on a five-game losing streak, fans have a right to be upset with a season that began with much higher expectations.
"I don't think anybody can take too much heat when your record is where it is," Whisenhunt said after the team practiced on Wednesday. "We have to be very clear about it. Our expectations are not to be where we are as a team. We are disappointed. It hurts. We hurt all the time, because we want to be good."
Kolb, meanwhile, acknowledges that he's had a tougher time than anticipated learning the nuances of an offense that is far different than the one he learned with the Philadelphia Eagles.
"I'm not going to lie. It's a tough deal," he said, "especially after getting trained a certain way for four years. I wish I had the offseason and I didn't. We are here at 1 and 5. Let's strap it up and go to work...
The challenge only grows for Kolb and the rest of the Arizona offense on Sunday when the Cardinals travel to Baltimore to face what's bound to be an angry Ravens team coming off an upset Monday night loss at home to Jacksonville.
Matters are made worse by the uncertain status of two of the bright spots for the offense, running back Beanie Wells and wide receiver Early Doucet. Neither practiced on Wednesday, Wells because of an injured right knee and Doucet because of a sore quadriceps.
Kolb said he put in extra time on Wednesday working on the footwork required of a quarterback in Arizona's offense, which he said is far more complicated than the simple system used in Philadelphia.
"We have a lot of route changing going on during the play. I'm trying to adjust to that on the fly sometimes and I'm not used to having to do that," he said. "I'm used to coming back seven steps, hit your back foot, one hitch, boom get it out, where here it could be a three-step, a five-step, or a seven-step on any given play depending on the look we get.
'It's something I've been dealing with since I got here. It's nothing new. It's just a matter of doing that when the bullets are flying and making sure those bullets don't affect you."
Statistically, Kolb's performance in Sunday's 32-20 loss to Pittsburgh was an improvement over his recent outings. After throwing five interceptions and just one touchdown in his previous three games, he completed 18 of 34 passes for 272 yards and two TDs with no picks. He was sacked twice, but that doesn't count the intentional grounding call in the end zone that resulted in a safety, a play that Whisenhunt still was lamenting on Wednesday.
Kolb had connected with LaRod Stephens-Howling on a 73-yard scoring play that cut the Steelers' lead to 17-14 with 9:26 to go in the third quarter. The Steelers responded with a penalty-aided 10-play, 80-yard touchdown drive toat made it 24-14.
A holding penalty pushed Arizona to its own 7-yard line after the subsequent kickoff, and Kolb retreated deep into the end zone to pass. With LaMarr Woodley in his face, Kolb threw the ball away in an obvious case of intentional grounding.
"All of a sudden not only do you give up two points, you lose possession. You can't do those things," Whisenhunt said. "I think that is obviously something we have talked about, finishing games, and that's one area we have to get better."
One of many areas, he might have added.
The offensive line, receivers who drop passes, and a defense that regularly surrenders big plays, often at the most inopportune time.
The quarterback always gets the lion's share of the blame, especially when he has a new five-year, $63 million contract, $21 million of it guaranteed.
Kolb knows he's already been labeled a failure in some circles, after just six games. He reminded everyone that he played in Philadelphia, "a tough place" when it comes to fan criticism.
"I'm looking around the league and there are a lot of quarterbacks who are going through some stuff," he said. "Every coach feels like the same thing. When you get in this grind sometimes you are just like, 'Man, let's just get a win and get out of this thing.'"
-- Bob Baum
Rams QB Bradford misses practice, likely to sit
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Sam Bradford is still in a walking boot and it appears that at least another week will pass before the St. Louis Rams quarterback gets back on the field.
Bradford was not at practice Wednesday while rehabbing from a high left ankle sprain, leaving his availability in doubt for the second straight game. Backup A.J. Feeley got his first start since 2007 in a 34-7 loss at Dallas and expects to get the call again this week against the New Orleans Saints.
"Until I'm told not to, I'm going to assume that role," Feeley said. "I think it's going to be tough to keep Sam off the field but if that's not the case I'll go again.
"Until then, the ship keeps on rolling."
Bradford's leg was placed in a cast on Saturday, a day after on-field testing aggravated the injury, and it was taken off Wednesday morning. The 0-6 Rams will try to avoid risking another setback for Bradford, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft, and aren't sure when they'll try another round of tests.
Trainer Reggie Scott noted that Bradford wasn't able to get up on his toes while simulating dropbacks and other movements during last week's tests.
Bradford said the ankle feels better than it did last week before the testing, and he's begun light strength exercises.
"When they feel I'm ready to test it out again, we'll test it out," Bradford said.
The 34-year-old Feeley was 20 for 33 for 166 yards and an interception with no touchdowns against the Cowboys, and noted that if the Rams scored only seven points he couldn't have had a very good day.
It was just the 16th career start in 11 seasons for Feeley, who also was a backup much of his senior year at Oregon behind Joey Harrington in 2000. No matter the result, Feeley definitely appreciated the opportunity.
"There were times that I soaked it up," Feeley said. "Not that I got caught up in the moment or anything, but there's times when you step back and you realize the situation and you seize the day a little bit, you realize this is pretty awesome.
"It's been a while for me. But then you go right back into football mode."
The Rams are the lowest-scoring team in the NFL, averaging just nine points, so they weren't that effective even with Bradford behind center. They've scored four touchdowns in 14 trips inside the 20 — just one spot above the league cellar in that category.
Bradford passed for 299 yards at Green Bay, and the Rams totaled three points. He threw for 331 yards against the Giants, but with just one touchdown.
Missing the game at Dallas was especially painful for Bradford, who won a Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma and had anticipated playing in front of family members and friends.
"Never in my mind did I really think what it was going to be like on Sunday if I didn't get to play," Bradford said. "I think it hit me when I walked into the locker room during pregame and my jersey wasn't on my pads, and I knew I wasn't going to go out there."
Both offensive tackles missed practice Wednesday. Jason Smith has a concussion, although a spine specialist determined his accompanying neck injury was a bruise. Rodger Saffold and running back Jerious Norwood were sent home due to illness.
Defensive tackle Darell Scott (concussion), wide receiver Danario Alexander (hamstring), cornerback Justin King (groin) and linebacker Brady Poppinga (calf) also did not practice.
-- R.B. Fallstrom
Next guy up for Seattle: rookie Sherman
RENTON, Wash. (AP) — The surprise is how rookie Richard Sherman ended up as the Seattle Seahawks' first-team cornerback this week, not necessarily that he will be the starter come Sunday against Cincinnati.
Consider it the process of elimination in Seattle's secondary.
"The way it's happening is more the way I wouldn't have wanted," Sherman said. "The way (Marcus Trufant) went down, the way (Walter Thurmond) went down is probably not the way I would have wanted it to happen, but it's happened this way so I try to be prepared for it and do the best I can in this situation."
Sherman is expected to make his first NFL start this week when the Seahawks return home to host the Bengals and the rookie duo of receiver A.J. Green and QB Andy Dalton. It's been a quick rise up the Seahawks depth chart for the rookie fifth-round pick out of Stanford and mostly out of necessity.
First, Trufant, the Seahawks' longest-tenured player, went on injured reserve with a recurring back problem that first surfaced in 2009 and was aggravated in Week 4 against Atlanta.
Then, when Seattle returned from its bye last week, Thurmond suffered a broken fibula and significant ankle damage in Cleveland and could be out four to six months.
Now it's up to Sherman to fill a role he wasn't expected to be thrust into this season, a rapid rise for the one-time college wide receiver trying to bring those pass catching smarts to playing defense.
"He has a natural feel for routes and things that allows him to react quicker than the guy that doesn't have that background and has only been a corner," Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. "Sometimes guys can make use of it, sometimes guys don't and I think it's given him a chance. It's given him a chance to play in short order. He played very well in the game last week and he has a chance to really blossom and have big upside."
What makes Sherman unique — along with Seattle's other starting cornerback, Brandon Browner — is his size. Sherman is 6-foot-3 and about 195 pounds while Browner stands 6-4 and 220 pounds. They're rarities in a league were the majority of cornerbacks are undersized as compared to the larger receivers.
But the two lack experience. Browner's entire NFL career is the first six games of this season after spending the past four seasons playing in the Canadian Football League. Sherman only made the switch from wide receiver to cornerback before his senior season at Stanford.
"There's just not very many guys like that," Carroll said. "I do think that they fit the mold — we almost stereotype the mold of receivers being a tall, lanky guy that's going to take the ball away from you and the smaller, faster guys are the guys that are going to chase those guys, the corners. I'm really excited about this."
Sherman made the switch in college because of a need at the position and to improve his own NFL prospects. Having played receiver for most of his football career, making the switch allowed Sherman to bring some insights to the position others did not have.
"It helped more than you know," Sherman said. "It helped more with the subtle things: the knowing routes, knowing receivers, movements and how they're getting in and out of breaks, the weaknesses of certain routes, the weaknesses of certain receivers."
Sherman played the entire second half last week against the Browns after getting some spot duty two weeks earlier in Seattle's win over the New York Giants. Now comes the challenge of the Bengals, who are coming off a bye week and are riding a three-game win streak.
Seattle's secondary may get an infusion of experience if cornerback Roy Lewis comes off the physically unable to perform list and is activated for Sunday's game. Even if Lewis is ready, the likely starting combo of safeties Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas, and Browner and Sherman are all still in their NFL infancy.
"The other 10 guys have worked too hard to have you come in there and not give everything you have and be prepared," Sherman said.
-- Tim Booth
