Sunday, November 26, 2006

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NFL

Steelers-Ravens

Post Gazette

Hines Ward caught a short red-zone flip from Ben Roethlisberger and ran it for a touchdown near the end of practice Friday, his first serious preparation for the Baltimore Ravens this week. Though he didn’t participate in the entire practice and the Steelers continue to list him as questionable, the Pro Bowl wideout was at least moderately encouraged. Ward’s presence is of particular importance tomorrow, not only because he is a favorite red-zone target of Roethlisberger (only Indianapolis Marvin Harrison, with 29, has more red-zone touchdowns than Ward’s 27 in the past five years) but because he’s a veteran of 16 Steelers-Ravens episodes while none of Big Ben’s other receivers has played in three. Kick-returner Willie Reid, listed as doubtful for the Baltimore game as recently as Thursday, will not play. Running back/kick-returner Najeh Davenport was upgraded to probable yesterday. Linebackers Clark Haggans and James Harrison, center Jeff Hartings, and cornerback Deshea Townsend are all probable. In Baltimore, linebacker Ray Lewis, offensive guard and former Steeler Keydrick Vincent, tight ends Daniel Wilcox and Todd Heap, and defensive tackle Dwan Edwards remained questionable. Safety Ed Reed and linebacker Adalius Thomas are probable.

Panthers-Redskins

Washington Times

Pro Bowl receiver Santana Moss, who missed two of the past three games with a strained hamstring, practiced for a third straight day and expects to play tomorrow when the Washington Redskins play host to the Carolina Panthers. Moss had sat out against Dallas, returned to have his worst day with the Redskins in Philadelphia and was inactive again last week at Tampa Bay.  However, strong safety Troy Vincent, who left with a strained hamstring in the second quarter last Sunday, hasn’t been back on the field since and won’t play against the Panthers. That means that Vernon Fox, signed off waivers from Detroit on Aug. 29, will start for the first time since the Lions’ 2003 season finale. The Redskins have lost five of their past six games.

49ers-Rams

St. Louis Today

Sacked just 13 times in the first five games, when the Rams went 4-1, Bulger has been dumped on 22 times in the Rams’ five-game losing streak. It’s no coincidence that the offensive output has waned, culminating with last Sunday’s shutout at Carolina. Adam Timmerman (bruised ribs) practiced Friday for the second successive day and will be in the lineup Sunday against San Francisco at the Edward Jones Dome. “He felt much better. He’s good to go,” Linehan said. Todd Steussie will start at left tackle, with Alex Barron at right tackle, Incognito at center and probably rookie Mark Setterstrom at left guard. Setterstrom, inactive for the first nine games, spelled Timmerman for nine plays at Carolina. “Mark played well when he went in last week,” Linehan said. “He’s been working to get to this chance, and it’s about time we gave him one.” Adam Goldberg, who struggled at left tackle vs. the Panthers, will be worked into the guard rotation, Linehan said. Fullback Paul Smith barely had climbed off the shelf when a hamstring injury put him back on. Smith, who missed two games earlier with an eye injury, was injured covering the Rams’ last of nine punts at Carolina.

Cardinals-Vikings

Minnesota Star-Tribune

After ranking among the NFL’s top 10 offenses in nine seasons between 1994 and 2004, the Vikings are producing their second consecutive season of punchless offense. They ranked No. 25 in total offense last year, their worst performance since 1984, and this season the Vikings are on track to set a series of team records for offensive futility. If they continue at their current pace, the Vikings will break records for fewest touchdowns (28), first downs (283), touchdown passes (15) and will come close to the franchise low for points (259) in a season. Removing running back Chester Taylor’s longest four runs this season—including a 95-yard touchdown against Seattle—leaves the Vikings with a 3.3-yard average in its other 269 carries. That total represents 98.5 percent of the Vikings’ running plays this season. Entering Sunday’s game against the Vikings, the Cardinals are the league’s worst rushing offense despite the presence of free agent acquisition Edgerrin James; overall, their offense is ranked No. 28.

Jaguars-Bills

Jacksonville Times-Union

But perhaps one of the most overlooked units is Jacksonville’s offensive line, which has consistently churned out solid performances, helping the team’s rushing attack climb to No. 3 in the NFL while allowing just 14 sacks. Last season, the Jaguars ranked 15^th in total offense (321.8 yards per game) and 10^th in rushing (122.4 ypg) while allowing 32 sacks. So far this season, the rushing attack is averaging 135.9 yards per game and the offense ranks 16^th overall. Jaguars guard Vince Manuwai credits the promotion of Andy Heck from offensive assistant to offensive line coach and the arrival of assistant head coach Mike Tice with the line’s success so far this season. Upon the promotion, Heck emphasized to the offensive line the importance of focusing on its run-block angles, which has resulted in more of a downhill rushing attack. Bills quarterback J.P. Losman enters into Sunday’s game coming off a career performance (340 yards passing and 3 TDs) the week prior against the Houston Texans. The Jaguars hope to cool off Losman by making him one-dimensional. “He can do it all,” middle linebacker Daryl Smith said. “He can run and make some plays with his feet, but he’s got a big arm, too. “He’s playing pretty well right now, so we just want to keep him in the pocket and make him throw the ball.” Cornerback Terry Cousin (groin) is doubtful for today’s game. Receiver Ernest Wilford (ankle) is questionable along with Cortez Hankton (hamstring) and cornerback Brian Williams (hamstring), who missed portions of Friday’s workout. Buffalo running back Willis McGahee (ribs) practiced on Friday, but is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.

Eagles-Colts

Philadelphia Daily News

Philadelphia minus Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb for the remainder of the season and riding a below-average 5-5 record, will be traveling to Indianapolis tomorrow night to face perhaps the NFL’s most dangerous scoring squad. The Colts, who are 9-1 after losing their first game last Sunday to the Dallas Cowboys, lead the league in total offense with 374.8 yards per game and passing offense with 270 yards per outing.The Colts’ high-powered offense is due primarily to Manning’s consistency and accuracy to his steady receivers, Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. Those two account for 1,698 of Manning’s league-leading 2,781 passing yards. The key, however, for the Eagles, who are approaching this game as a must win to keep their playoff hopes alive, will be controlling the game’s tempo. So far this season, the Colts have averaged 10 offensive series per game, keeping their opponents’ defense on the field for an average of 31-plus minutes per game.

The Eagles were used to a quick-strike offense with McNabb, but will likely alter their game plan slightly with backup quarterback Jeff Garcia under center at the RCA Dome. Because the Colts do such a great job controlling the ball and the clock, Stallworth said the Eagles’ offense has to maximize its time with the ball. Donté Stallworth returned to practice and went the entire time after missing Thursday’s session with hamstring issues. Stallworth, who missed four games earlier this season with a strained hamstring, said he is fine and expects to play tomorrow night... Linebacker Shawn Barber (knee) did not practice yesterday and will not play against the Colts. Coach Andy Reid said he plans to have Matt McCoy and Michael Lewis working in and out of the position.Cornerback William James (knee) did not practice while linebacker Jason Short (ankle sprain) was limited in practice. Both are listed as questionable.

Raiders-Chargers

San Francisco Chronicle

Raiders left guard Barry Sims was ruled out for Sunday’s game with an ongoing abdomen problem by Raiders coach Art Shell on Friday, putting quarterback Aaron Brooks behind a makeshift offensive line. The starting five, barring further decimation: -- Left tackle Chad Slaughter, whose lone career start was in the 2003 season finale at San Diego.—Left guard Corey Hulsey, making his third straight start in place of Sims after going four years without a start.—Center Jake Grove, playing with a hyperextended left elbow.—Right guard Kevin Boothe, a rookie from Cornell who began the season on the bench.—Right tackle Langston Walker, who sprained his ankle falling over left tackle Robert Gallery last week, dislocating Gallery’s elbow.

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