{"id":736,"date":"2006-08-11T22:41:22","date_gmt":"2006-08-12T03:41:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.joeduffy.net\/blog\/2006\/08\/updated-nfl-news-and-notes\/"},"modified":"2006-08-11T22:41:22","modified_gmt":"2006-08-12T03:41:22","slug":"updated-nfl-news-and-notes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.joeduffy.net\/blog\/2006\/08\/updated-nfl-news-and-notes\/","title":{"rendered":"Updated NFL News and Notes"},"content":{"rendered":"


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NFL\u00a0 <\/span>Information<\/span>
\nwill be constantly updated! <\/o:p><\/h1>\n

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Saturday, August 12,
\n2006<\/st1:date><\/p>\n

Steelers-Cardinals<\/h2>\n

Beaver<\/st1:PlaceName> County<\/st1:PlaceType><\/st1:place>
\nTimes<\/o:p><\/h3>\n

Still no word on Ben Roethlisberger\u2019s<\/span>
\nchances of playing in the preseason opener.<\/span> But it looks more and more
\nlike two other Pittsburgh Steelers stars won\u2019t play. Joey Porter, a Pro Bowl
\nlinebacker, definitely won\u2019t play Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals. He\u2019s
\nyet to take part in a training camp practice because of a knee injury that
\nneeded off-season surgery. Hines Ward, a Pro Bowl wide receiver and MVP of
\nSuper Bowl XL, probably won\u2019t play either. On Monday, Ward missed his second
\nstraight day of practice with a tender hamstring.<\/p>\n

Verdein<\/span> Independent<\/h3>\n

Now with healthy bodies reporting to training camp along
\nwith a couple new faces, including a new defensive line coach, the Cardinals
\nare looking better than ever and feeling energized for the new season. The only
\nsnag so far is the broken hand of King, who will sit out the next four to six
\nweeks while he recovers. The new defensive line coach is Larry Brooks, who
\nenters his 21st<\/sup> season as an NFL assistant coach and his first with
\nthe Cardinals. Brooks worked the past 12 seasons as a defensive line coach
\nincluding the previous two seasons with the Detroit Lions. The offensive line
\nwas really the Cardinals weak spot last year. This year\u2019s changes which include
\na new offensive line coach, the Cardinals are looking to up their performance
\nand protection of first-string quarterback Kurt Warner, who took a beating last
\nyear and ended up on the injured list. Steve Loney<\/span>
\ntakes over as offensive line coach for the Cardinals. The Cardinals still look
\nvery strong in their passing game with the return of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan<\/span> Boldin<\/span>, who are prepped to
\nhave another stellar season. Both wide-receivers caught over 100 passes last
\nyear for over 1400 yards apiece. With the new addition of Loney<\/span>,
\nthe offensive line looks to be whipping into shape so that they can have more
\nof a running game, which is the goal of Cardinals\u2019 third-year head coach Dennis
\nGreen.<\/p>\n

Jaguars-Dolphins<\/h2>\n

Boston<\/st1:place><\/st1:City> Globe<\/h3>\n

Quarterback Daunte<\/span><\/strong><\/span> Culpepper<\/span> <\/span><\/strong>has progressed so well in his recovery
\nfrom knee surgery that he could play in the Miami Dolphins\u2019 exhibition opener
\nSaturday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.<\/p>\n

KRT<\/span> Newswire<\/o:p><\/h3>\n

Defensive starters will play at least a quarter, Del
\nRio<\/st1:place><\/st1:City> said. Offensive starters, ones the coaches are
\ntrying to jump-start and improve from last year, will play longer.<\/o:p><\/p>\n

All 81 players who made the trip are expected to play.Receivers<\/span>, running backs and linebackers are at the
\nforefront of Del Rio<\/st1:place><\/st1:City>\u2019s watch list.
\nThe Jags must sort out a receiving corps bent on nullifying the loss of Jimmy
\nSmith. They also must find a new starter at one outside linebacker post and
\nestablish a pecking order behind Taylor<\/st1:place><\/st1:City>.
\nGreg Jones, LaBrandon<\/span> Toefield<\/span>,
\nAlvin Pearman<\/span> and second-round pick Maurice
\nJones-Drew flush out a deep backfield.<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, new quarterback Daunte<\/span>
\nCulpepper will start the game for Miami<\/st1:place><\/st1:City>.
\nBut he and most of the Dolphins\u2019 regulars are expected to take just a handful
\nof snaps.<\/o:p><\/p>\n

\u201cI think anyone that gets hurt in the preseason game,<\/span> anybody would feel like, \u2018Was this necessary?\u2019\u201d Miami
\nCoach Nick Saban<\/span> said.<\/p>\n

Cowboys-Seahawks<\/h2>\n

Boston<\/st1:place><\/st1:City> Globe<\/h3>\n

Terrell Owens <\/span>said
\nyesterday that his nagging hamstring injury likely will keep him out of the
\nDallas Cowboys\u2019 exhibition opener Saturday night in Seattle<\/st1:place><\/st1:City>.<\/p>\n

HeraldNet<\/span><\/h3>\n

Seattle Floyd Womack, the starting left guard, strained
\nhis right hamstring during the morning session and was replaced by rookie Rob
\nSims. Backup center Chris Spencer finished the practice at left guard, and coach<\/span> Mike Holmgren<\/span> said either
\nSims or Spencer will probably start Saturday\u2019s preseason opener against the
\nDallas Cowboys.<\/o:p><\/p>\n

DallasCowboys.com<\/o:p><\/h3>\n

While most are wondering whether veterans Drew Bledsoe and
\nTerrell Owens will play in Saturday\u2019s preseason opener against Seattle, Cowboys
\nhead coach Bill Parcells wants to find out how his rookies and younger players
\nwill respond to live competition. \u201cI\u2019m going to try to get a couple players,
\nthe guys I really want to see, as much as two-and-a-half quarters in this game,\u201d
\nParcells said. \u201cAnd that\u2019s going to be at the expense of some other people.\u201d <\/o:p><\/p>\n

Parcells on Wednesday reeled off a long list of players
\nwho will receive extensive playing time against the Seahawks. Aside from
\ndrafted rookies like linebacker Bobby Carpenter, tight end Anthony Fasano<\/span>, defensive end Jason Hatcher and safety Pat Watkins,
\nParcells also wants to take a long look at first- and second-year guys like
\ntight end Tony Curtis, Lousaka<\/span> Polite and Tyson
\nThompson. <\/o:p><\/p>\n

 <\/o:p><\/p>\n

Chiefs-Texans<\/h2>\n

Wichita<\/st1:place><\/st1:City> Eagle<\/o:p><\/h3>\n

When the Chiefs failed one of their first offensive tests
\nof training camp<\/st1:PlaceType> Tuesday<\/st1:PlaceName><\/st1:place>,
\ncoach Herm Edwards\u2014that famed defender of the defense\u2014wasn\u2019t happy about it. The
\nChiefs couldn\u2019t generate a first down when running the so-called four-minute
\noffense, a term for the mode used when a team is leading late in a game and
\nwants to control the ball and run out the clock. In what was an even bigger
\ncrime to Edwards, they stopped the clock by throwing an incomplete pass on
\nthird down. The situation was yet another sign of the transition the Chiefs
\nface as they move from the continual attack mode of the Dick Vermeil-Al
\nSaunders era to the conservative, ball-control philosophy favored by Edwards. The
\nChiefs were using mostly backups at the time. Green, Gonzalez, fullback Ronnie
\nCruz and guards Will Shields and Brian Waters were either sitting out the
\nmorning practice or injured. The series ended when Casey Printers threw a wild,
\nincomplete pass on third down and eight after
\ntwo<\/st1:time> unsuccessful running plays.That<\/span> the
\nChiefs used backups mattered little to Edwards.\u201dThe<\/span>
\nbackups will have to play Saturday,\u201d Edwards said, referring to the preseason
\nopener against the Texans in Houston<\/st1:place><\/st1:City>.
\n\u201cI\u2019m not going to change the game plan because they\u2019re going in there, and I\u2019m
\nnot going to say, \u2018Now we\u2019ve got to throw passes because we\u2019ve got a new left
\ntackle or a new guard.\u2019 Are you kidding me?<\/o:p><\/p>\n

Bellview<\/span> News Democrat<\/h3>\n

Jonathan Quinn might start demanding the Kansas City
\nChiefs bring him in for all of training camp. The journeyman quarterback\u2019s name
\nwas among those tossed around by coach<\/span> Herman Edwards
\non Wednesday, as injuries force the Chiefs to go searching for a last-minute
\nsignal-caller for the second straight year. Backup Damon Huard<\/span>
\ndid not practice during Wednesday\u2019s morning session after spraining an ankle,
\nand third-round draft pick Brodie<\/span> Croyle<\/span>
\nhas been practicing only in running drills<\/span> while he
\nworks his way back from a shoulder injury. That leaves Trent Green and Casey
\nPrinters – who missed Tuesday afternoon\u2019s practice after taking a hit in the
\nmorning – healthy enough to take snaps in Saturday\u2019s exhibition game against
\nthe Houston Texans.<\/p>\n

Saints-Titans<\/h2>\n

Clarion Ledger<\/h3>\n

Drew Brees<\/span>, who is coming off
\nshoulder surgery, will see his first game action since tearing the labrum in
\nhis throwing shoulder in the San Diego Chargers final game last season. Brees<\/span> signed with the Saints in March. He expects to play
\nthrough the first quarter Saturday against the Titans. was<\/span>
\nthe seventh time in 12 days the Saints have practiced under a heat index of 110
\nor more. With Wednesday\u2019s additions, the Saints are up to 11 players who are
\nsidelined with injuries. P Mitch Berger (groin\/hip); LB Cei<\/span>
\nGrant (knee); OG<\/span> Montrae<\/span> Holland
\n(knee); LB E.J<\/span>. Kuale<\/span>
\n(ankle); DT Rodney Leisle<\/span> (knee); KR Michael Lewis
\n(knee); Jermane<\/span> Mayberry (shoulder); CB Mike McKenzie
\n(hamstring); LB Tommy Polley<\/span> (shoulder); OG<\/span> Chad Setterstrom<\/span> (knee); DT
\nWillie Whitehead (ankle).<\/p>\n

Jackson<\/st1:place><\/st1:City> Sun<\/h3>\n

The
\nfirst preseason game.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
\n<\/span><\/span>This is a bit outside the box for Fisher. He normally talks about
\nusing training camp and the four preseason games to get ready for the season
\nopener and the 15 games that follow. <\/o:p><\/p>\n

Pet phrase: \u201cIt\u2019s a marathon, not a sprint.\u201d But this is
\nno time for jogging. Back-to-back losing seasons – not to
\nmention whispers about Bud Adams\u2019 reluctance to extend Fisher\u2019s contract – make
\nthis a very abnormal preseason for the Titans in general and Fisher in
\nparticular.<\/span> Fisher won\u2019t play Billy Volek<\/span> and
\nChris Brown the entire game. Keith Bulluck<\/span> and Albert
\nHaynesworth<\/span> figure to play a half, max. The Titans
\nwill unveil Vince Young, who will get more than a handful of snaps, each of
\nwhich will be overanalyzed by media and fans. \u201cWe want to make a statement,\u201d Bulluck<\/span> said. The Titans begin stating their case on
\nSaturday.<\/p>\n

Nashville<\/st1:PlaceName> City<\/st1:PlaceType><\/st1:place>
\nPaper<\/o:p><\/h3>\n

By the end of Wednesday morning\u2019s practice, three-fifths
\nof the Tennessee Titans\u2019 starting offensive line was out of commission. Center
\nKevin Mawae<\/span> and guard Benji<\/span>
\nOlson did not practice due to back spasms, and guard Zach Piller<\/span>
\nleft the workout early because of a rib strained that clouded his status for
\nSaturday\u2019s pre-season opener against the New Orleans Saints. Piller<\/span> was visibly ailing as he emerged from the tunnel
\nfrom the locker room and was taken to be examined. X-rays showed no major
\ndamage, however. Piller<\/span> was already bothered by a
\nshoulder injury, and the Wednesday\u2019s setback compounds the veteran guard\u2019s
\nwoes. As for Olson and Mawae<\/span>, Coach Jeff Fisher said
\nboth players were being monitored at this point and that they had not been
\nruled out for Saturday night\u2019s game with the Saints.<\/p>\n

Bills-Panthers<\/h2>\n

The Ledger<\/o:p><\/h3>\n

Wide receiver Steve Smith and safety Mike Minter will miss
\nthe Carolina Panthers\u2019 exhibition opener against Buffalo<\/st1:place><\/st1:City>
\non Saturday. Smith, the NFL\u2019s leading receiver last season, missed his 13th<\/sup>
\nstraight day of training camp<\/st1:PlaceType> Friday<\/st1:PlaceName><\/st1:place>
\nwith a strained left hamstring, while Minter is not expected to rejoin the team
\nuntil next week following the sudden death of his mother on Thursday. \u201cThe
\nservice is on Monday, so we aren\u2019t expecting him back, that\u2019s safe to say,\u201d coach<\/span> John Fox said. Tight end Kris Mangum, cornerback
\nMarcus Cassel<\/span>, tackle Dave Kadela<\/span>,
\ndefensive end Devan<\/span> Long, receiver Daniel Smith and
\nlinebacker Sean Tufts also missed Friday morning\u2019s practice with injuries and
\nare not expected to play Saturday. Fox said he plans to play the starters for
\nabout a quarter against the Bills.\u201dIt<\/span> could be less
\nthan that based on plays played and what the game brings,\u201d said Fox, who added
\nhe plans to play all four quarterbacks on the roster. Quarterback Jake Delhomme has been taking it slow
\nin camp this week because of a tired arm, and isn\u2019t expected to play more than
\na couple of series. With Chris Weinke locked into the No. 2 role, Carolina\u2019s
\nfocus Saturday will be the battle for the No. 3 quarterback job between
\nsecond-year pro Stefan LeFors and rookie Brett Basanez. First-round pick
\nDeAngelo Williams, who has never attended an NFL game, will make his Carolina
\ndebut at running back behind starter DeShaun Foster. <\/o:p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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