Lavonte David a Butkus semifinalist

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Nebraska senior linebacker Lavonte David has been named one of 12 semifinalists for the Butkus Award, which is presented to the nation's top linebacker. David is the only Big Ten player on the semifinal list. Finalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 22.David leads Nebraska with 64 tackles this season, including seven tackles for loss. His 216 career tackles are just four short of the top 20 on the Nebraska career tackles list. He is Nebraska’s first Butkus Award semifinalist since Demorrio Williams in 2003.The full list of semifinalists:Zach Brown,euro shirt, North CarolinaVontaze Burfict,euro 2012 shirts, Arizona StateAudie Cole, NC StateLavonte David, NebraskaDont’a Hightower, AlabamaLuke Kuechly, Boston CollegeTravis Lewis, OklahomaKeenan Robinson, TexasSean Spence, MiamiManti Te’o, Notre DameCourtney Upshaw, AlabamaJarvis Jones, Georgia

Tom Brady leading man on 'Top 100' list

If you had any dispute over Tom Brady's unanimous selections for MVP and All-Pro last season, then you must not agree with NFL players either.Brady's peers voted him the NFL's best player for 2011. The NFL Network on Sunday night concluded its series, "The Top 100: Players of 2011." Brady beat out Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning.New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis also landed in the top 10.Total rundown of AFC East players on the list:1. Tom Brady, Patriots quarterback8. Darrelle Revis,Czech Euro 2012 Shirts, Jets cornerback28. Jake Long, Dolphins left tackle35. Vince Wilfork, Patriots nose tackle39. Logan Mankins, Patriots left guard47. Nick Mangold,champions league shirts, Jets center50. Wes Welker, Patriots receiver61. Brandon Marshall, Dolphins receiver62. Jerod Mayo, Patriots inside linebacker63. Cameron Wake, Dolphins outside linebacker76. Santonio Holmes, Jets receiver79. D'Brickashaw Ferguson,Portugal Euro 2012 shirts, Jets tackle

Clark- Don't fall for Polamalu's soft-spoken act

Posted by ESPN.com staff TAMPA,Czech Euro 2012 Shirts, Fla. -- Pittsburgh's Ryan Clark has a word of warning about fellow safety Troy Polamalu: Don't believe the quiet,Greece Euro 2012 Shirts, soft-spoken act. "You all think he has this soft voice and never says anything," Clark said. "Trust me, he talks a lot. He talks too much sometimes. He's not what you think. He is a prankster." Examples, please? "He tied Bryant McFadden's helmet to the bench during a preseason game," Clark said. "Defense goes on the field and he has no helmet. ... He will ask you if you want some gum, and then hand you the piece he just chewed ... Last week in practice, when I wasn't looking, he filled my helmet with snow. I am supposed to be his boy, but he is always doing things to me." How does Clark explain Polamalu's ferocious play on the field? "When he is out there in the game, he is scared most of the time,euro 2012 shirts," he said. "I think it is that fear that makes him so intense."

Pat Williams is harmonizing already

Williams EDEN PRAIRIE,euro shirts, Minn. -- Aaron Rodgers might want to consider wearing earplugs for his regular season debut as the Green Bay Packers' quarterback Monday night. Let's just say the Minnesota Vikings plan to fill his world with song. Fun-loving,euro2012shirt.org.uk, trash-talking Vikings nose tackle Pat Williams said Tuesday he will start a verbal barrage against Rodgers in the first quarter and has no plans to let up. "We'll find out how much he can take," Williams said. "We'll find out Monday night." Williams is like clockwork. He can be counted on for a few harmless jabs at opponents nearly every week of the NFL season. The words usually look worse in print than they do in delivery. "I've always been that way,euro 2012 shirts," Williams said. "Anybody that knows me I just like to have fun. I'm serious about this game. But that doesn't mean I'm not going to have fun with him."

Gates and Merriman are moving well

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Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson SAN DIEGO -- Game time is approaching and the stadium is filling on a postcard day from one of the world's nicest cities. While the Chargers are going to be without injured offensive linemen Nick Hardwick and Marcus McNeill,Portugal Euro 2012 shirts, they will have tight end Antonio Gates and linebacker Shawne Merriman. Both players are in uniform and are stretching. Gates has been moving very fluidly. This will be his first game action since having offseason surgery on his left big toe. Gates has said he is unaware how the toe will react on game day. Merriman is also moving well despite a left knee issue. Merriman is ignoring medical advice to have season-ending surgery. Merriman is playing because he says his team is ready to win a Super Bowl. Appreciative Chargers fans have been giving him ovations over the past hour One last thought: If Carolina had suspended receiver Steve Smith,Greece Euro 2012 Shirts, it could be a different game because of San Diego's injuries.

Rare interception hurts Broncos

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Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill WilliamsonDENVER -- Kyle Orton's second interception of the season could haunt the Denver Broncos.Orton hurled an overthrown pass and it was intercepted by Pittsburgh safety Tyrone Carter,euro 2012 shirt, who returned it 48 yards for a touchdown to give Pittsburgh a 7-3 lead with 12:50 to go in the second quarter.It was Orton’s second interception of the season. His only other interception was a Hail Mary at the end of the first half against New England on Oct. 11. It was intercepted by Patriots receiver Randy Moss.Carter is playing because starting safety Ryan Clark is inactive over health concerns. Clark has a rare sickle-cell trait that causes his body to adversely react to exertion in high altitudes. In 2007, the last time Clark played in Denver,Portugal Euro 2012 shirts, he had complications that led to him losing his spleen and gall bladder.

Clayton- 2012 schedule could hurt Ravens

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For the past two seasons, the Ravens and Steelers have finished with 12-4 records. Tiebreakers have decided the AFC North champion for 2010 and 2011.That means the slightest advantage could determine whether a team is playing a wild-card game on the road, or staying home for its first playoff contest. ESPN's John Clayton believes the Ravens could lose their one-year edge against the Steelers because of the 2012 schedule:They go from a .477 schedule in 2011 to a .523,euro 2012 shirt, a .46 change that could pull them down by two games from their 12-4 finish. Their .523 schedule is the fourth toughest in the league,new england shirt, tied with the St. Louis Rams.The biggest difference between the schedules for the Ravens and Steelers is their opponents from the AFC East and AFC South. As the result of a first-place schedule, Baltimore faces the New England Patriots and Houston Texans. Pittsburgh gets to face the New York Jets and the Tennessee Titans.

Another list of all-name team players

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Yesterday, I passed along one of the better annual college basketball blog traditions: The All-Name team. The first came from Ballin' Is A Habit, which went above and beyond the usual first, second and third team approach, providing more awesome college hoops names than any reader has any right to expect. It was fantastic.But there is more than one All-Name team out there, and Storming the Floor's Eric Angevine is an old hand at this game. Traditionally,Germany Euro Shirts, Angevine and his colleagues at STF have put together a standard list. This year, he took things in a different direction. Angevine scoured every Division I roster and found a player on each team -- beginning with teams from power-six conferences today -- worthy of at least some all-name consideration.Typically, the best names seem to come from the smaller, more obscure Division I schools. But there are some worthy candidates in this list,euro2012shirt.org.uk, too. In other words: Let no quirky college basketball name go unnoticed.

WWII Museum honors Ralph Wilson

NEW ORLEANS -- Buffalo Bills founder Ralph Wilson was honored Monday night with one of five American Spirit Awards from the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.Also honored at an event to coincide with the annual NFL meetings here were Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams, New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson, Detroit Lions owner William Clay Ford and San Diego Chargers owner Alex Spanos.Wilson, 92,Portugal Euro 2012 shirts, enlisted in the Navy during World War II and served in both the Atlantic and Pacific.Wilson is not in attendance for the NFL owners meeting. He's represented by a contingent that includes chief operating officer Russ Brandon,champions league shirts, executive vice president Mary Owen, treasurer Jeff Littmann, senior vice president Jim Overdorf,Germany Euro Shirts, general manager Buddy Nix and head coach Chan Gailey.The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported Monday the WWII Museum is kicking off a program that showcases how the NFL and football aided the war effort through selling bonds and donating gate revenues from exhibition games.

Patriots cut CB Leigh Bodden

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We have a surprise move in the AFC East Friday.BoddenThe New England Patriots have cut cornerback Leigh Bodden. The move was first reported by ProFootballTalk.com and later confirmed by other Boston media outlets.Bodden was New England's highest-paid cornerback. He signed a four-year, $22 million contract in 2010 but was injured in his first season with the Patriots. Bodden played five games this year and had 17 tackles and one start.With the odd timing,euro 2012 shirts, I'm not sure what to make of this move.New England's defense has been inconsistent and need all the healthy cornerbacks they can get. I don't think it was a financial decision, either,euro shirt, because New England is still on the hook for Bodden's 2011 salary unless he's claimed by a new team.That brings me to my next question: Are any teams in the AFC East interested? The Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins could certainly use cornerback depth.

What will this crowd sound like-

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MINNEAPOLIS -- I'm interested to see if the Metrodome's crowd dynamic will change much for Sunday's game against Philadelphia. You have to assume there are going to be a lot of new people in attendance given the reported levels of season-ticket holders who picked up their option to purchase tickets for this game. At the beginning of the week,euro 2012 shirts, only 55 percent of the team's ticket base had bought tickets. I'm sure that number increased over time,champions league shirts, but you would have to guess that at least 25 percent of the fans Sunday afternoon will be people who don't normally attend games. Will that make the Metrodome louder? Quieter? How many of the newcomers will be Eagles fans? It's worth nothing that the Eagles aren't easily affected by crowd noise. Their 13 false-start penalties were the third-fewest in the league. For comparison, Minnesota right tackle Ryan Cook committed six false starts on his own this season.

Overtrained athlete syndrome- Fail

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METAIRIE, La. -- Unsurprisingly, commissioner Roger Goodell decided not to alter Brian Cushing's suspension based on the evidence Bob McNair offered for overtrained athlete syndrome.Here’s the statement from the league:"At the request of Texans owner Bob McNair,Italy Euro Shirts, Commissioner Goodell reviewed additional medical information presented on behalf of Brian Cushing. The club and Cushing were notified today that after carefully considering all the information, including a review by outside medical experts, the commissioner finds no basis for changing the decision and that Mr. Cushing’s suspension for the first four games of the regular season remains in place."Here’s my initial reaction to the defense.I just happened to talk to Bernard Pollard about Cushing before the news,Spain Euro Shirts, and will link to the news story where you can find his thoughts shortly.

Tom Brady talks Kobe Bryant, Derek Jeter

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INDIANAPOLIS -- New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is famous for his competitiveness. It's a huge reason Brady has three Super Bowl rings and is known as one of the top five quarterbacks of all time.But who does Brady admire athletically? He was asked that question Tuesday during Super Bowl media day.Here was Brady's response:"I actually saw Kobe Bryant for the first time when they went to the [NBA] Finals in Boston. It's someone that I really look up to and admire,euro 2012 shirts, because of his competitiveness. I'd never met him before. You always watch other athletes and how they play the game and what makes them successful. You seem them play the game the way you think it needs to be played,new england shirt, like Derek Jeter. I love the way that he plays the game. You see some of those great caliber athletes. You look up to them and admire what it takes day in and day out to be a great player."

ESPN on MNF shots of Jacksonville

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Some viewers in Jacksonville brought complaints to the AFC South blog about some of the television shots used as part of the pregame show and telecast of "Monday Night Football" -- one of the Charlotte skyline and at least one scenic shot of Jacksonville that was outdated.I reached out to an ESPN spokesperson for explanation.Here’s what he offered:“The Charlotte aerial was an inadvertent mistake. It should not have aired. We apologize that it was part of the telecast.“The scenics of Jacksonville that were used during 'Monday Night Countdown' were shot the night of the previous MNF game there in late October. We did not have a crew shooting scenics Monday. There were no graphic or audio mentions indicating the shot was live,Czech Euro 2012 Shirts, though we understand viewers may have been under this assumption.”Hope that serves to clear things up. A reminder not to shoot the messenger.

Ben Roethlisberger hobbles off the field

PITTSBURGH -- Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers' championship hopes took a potentially devastating hit when the two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback hobbled off the field in the second quarter. Roethlisberger has an ankle injury,Greece Euro 2012 Shirts, according to the NFL Network.RoethlisbergerRoethlisberger's left leg bent after getting brought down by Browns defensive lineman Scott Paxson, whose first sack could have major ramifications. Roethlisberger limped off the field with 5:59 left in the second quarter and needed help from two trainers to get to the locker room. He didn't put any weight on the left leg.The Steelers (9-3) are tied for the best record in the AFC and are battling the Baltimore Ravens for the AFC North title.Before getting injured, Roethlisberger was 8-of-9 for 102 yards and one touchdown. The Steelers were leading,euro 2012 shirt, 7-3,Spain Euro Shirts, when Roethlisberger left the game.Longtime backup Charlie Batch replaced Roethlisberger. There has been no official announcement on Roethlisberger's injury.

Bengals- Backup QB plan

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NFC Backup QBs: East | West | North | South AFC: East | West | North | SouthAssessing the Cincinnati Bengals' backup quarterback situation if Andy Dalton is injured and misses time.The Bengals are very comfortable with Bruce Gradkowski as their backup. Well, at least offensive coordinator Jay Gruden is. Gradkowski played under Gruden for two years when both were in Tampa Bay,Portugal Euro 2012 shirts, so there is a strong familiarity with his offensive system. There might be some concern if Gradkowski had to start several games. He has a less-than-stellar 6-14 record while starting for three teams. But Cincinnati wouldn't think twice about giving the ball to Gradkowski if Dalton gets hurt late in a game because it has already happened. In last year's season opener, Gradkowski led the Bengals to a come-from-behind victory over the Browns,euro2012shirt.org.uk, which included a 41-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Green off a quick snap in the fourth quarter.Confidence rating (out of 100) if Dalton goes out for extended period: 63.

Bucs receive permission to talk to Zimmer

Just days after the Bengals locked up offensive coordinator Jay Gruden,champions league shirts, there is a possibility they could lose defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.The Tampa Bay Buccaneers received permission to speak to Zimmer,Portugal Euro 2012 shirts, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported. Zimmer recently interviewed for the Dolphins' head-coaching job.In Zimmer's four seasons as coordinator, the Bengals' defense has finished in the top half of the NFL each year including two top-10 rankings. The Bengals spent a couple of weeks this season as the league's top-ranked defense.Zimmer has previously been the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys (2000-06) and Atlanta Falcons (2007)."If Mike gets an opportunity, that would be fantastic,Czech Euro 2012 Shirts," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said at his end-of-the-season news conference, "and we’ll do nothing but be very supportive of him and any opportunity he gets a chance at.”Defensive backs coach Kevin Coyle would likely get promoted to defensive coordinator if Zimmer left for a head-coaching job.

John Chavis gives Tigers cutting edge

In 2009, LSU was missing a key piece of the puzzle. Enter defensive coordinator John Chavis. Chris Low has the story.NEW ORLEANS -- LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis isn't sure what he would be doing if he weren't coaching football."I honestly don't know, because as far back as I can remember, coaching football is all I've ever wanted to do,euro 2012 shirts," Chavis said. "Because of the impact so many of my coaches had on me,Greece Euro 2012 Shirts, I wanted to be in the profession. I knew this was the direction I wanted to go."So Chavis did what was ingrained in him while growing up in Dillon,Czech Euro 2012 Shirts, S.C., as one of 10 children born to Cherokee Indian sharecroppers.He put his head down and went to work every day to make his dream a reality.It's a work ethic that has served him well during a decorated coaching career that will come full circle Monday night in the Allstate BCS National Championship Game.Read the rest of Chris' story here.

Hogs' Wilson makes O'Brien cut

Arkansas' Tyler Wilson was the only SEC quarterback named as one of 16 semifinalists for the 2011 Davey O'Brien national quarterback award.Wilson leads the SEC with 2,011 passing yards and has thrown 12 touchdown passes and three interceptions.Given how steady he's been, it's a little surprising that LSU senior quarterback Jarrett Lee didn't make the cut. Lee leads the SEC in pass efficiency and has thrown 13 touchdown passes and only one interception. He's also completing 63.2 percent of his passes.Here's a complete list of the 16 semifinalists:Matt Barkley, USCTajh Boyd, ClemsonKirk Cousins, Michigan StateSeth Doege, Texas TechRobert Griffin III, BaylorLandry Jones,Czech Euro 2012 Shirts, OklahomaCase Keenum, HoustonAndrew Luck,euro 2012 shirt, StanfordKellen Moore, Boise StateKeith Price,Greece Euro 2012 Shirts, WashingtonDenard Robinson, MichiganRyan Tannehill, Texas A&MDarron Thomas, OregonBrandon Weeden, Oklahoma StateRussell Wilson, WisconsinTyler Wilson, Arkansas

Favre-to-Rice sparks Vikings

MINNEAPOLIS -- There’s been a lot of talk recently about the burgeoning relationship between Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre and rookie receiver Percy Harvin. But fellow receiver Sidney Rice just reminded us that he’s not far behind.Favre trusted Rice on a jump ball in what amounted to a free play after Detroit linebacker Larry Foote jumped offsides. Rice got away with a bit of a push-off against cornerback Phillip Buchanon but ultimately came down with a 43-yard reception.That seemed to spark an offense that opened this game in pretty lackluster fashion; the Vikings had only three points to show for two possessions deep in Lions territory. On the play after Rice’s reception,Italy Euro Shirts, tailback Adrian Peterson muscled his way out of Jason Hunter’s arms and ran away from the rest of the Lions’ defense for a 22-yard touchdown.It’s 10-0 midway through the first quarter,Greece Euro 2012 Shirts, and frankly,euro shirt, I’m not sure if I see the Lions coming back.

OSU's Mike Gundy named coach of the year

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy has been voted the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year by the 1,champions league shirts,200-member Football Writers Association of America.Gundy beat out LSU's Les Miles,Spain Euro Shirts, Kansas State's Bill Snyder, Michigan's Brady Hoke and Clemson's Dabo Swinney to win.He led the Cowboys to an 11-1 season and the school's first Big 12 title,Germany Euro Shirts, as well as its first BCS bowl bid.The 11 wins equaled a school record set in 2010, when Gundy was a finalist for the award."It's a testament to our players and our coaching staff that we are in the position that we are in," Gundy said in a release. "I want to thank the Football Writers Association of America for recognizing our team in this way."Former Kansas coach Mark Mangino was the last Big 12 coach to win the award in 2007. Oklahoma's Bob Stoops also won in 2000.Gary Patterson won the award at TCU in 2009.

Who's the hotter team- Giants or Patriots-

We have another interesting poll question in the AFC East blog. This week we ask who is the hotter team entering Super Bowl XLVI: the New York Giants or New England Patriots?The Patriots (15-3) have reeled off 10 straight victories. It is the second-longest winning streak this season,euro 2012 shirts, trailing the Green Bay Packers, who won 13 straight. New England had an easy schedule up until the playoffs and showed toughness by beating the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game. Are the Patriots the hotter team?Or is it the Giants (12-7)? New York has half the winning streak of New England. The Giants have won five straight. But New York beat very tough competition along the way, particularly in the playoffs with wins over the Atlanta Falcons,euro 2012 shirt, Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers. Is New York hotter than the Patriots?Using our SportsNation poll,euro2012shirt.org.uk, vote on who is the hotter Super Bowl team between the Patriots and Giants. You can also share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Entire division will go against Sanchez, Crabtree

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Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky The AFC South will get some early looks at some of the skill-position guys who've been taken in the first half of the NFL draft. Everybody in the division plays the New York Jets,Portugal Euro 2012 shirts, including the Texans in Week 1 at Reliant Stadium. The Texans could be the first to defend Mark Sanchez if he's the Jets starter from the start. And the whole division will get to see and defend receiver Michael Crabtree, who somewhat surprisingly lasted until San Francisco took him at No. 10. The 49ers play at Houston and at Indianapolis, while hosting Tennessee and Jacksonville this season. Another first-round quarterback, Josh Freeman,euro 2012 shirts, went to Tampa Bay at No. 17. He'll likely see his first action as a pro at Nashville's LP Field in the Bucs' preseason opener on Aug. 15 and will be in-line for some more work against the Jaguars in Jacksonville on Aug. 22.

Tom Benson taking over NBA's Hornets

Give New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson credit for one thing. He’s not letting the whole saga of the bounty program keep him from moving on.Benson reportedly has reached an agreement with the NBA to buy the New Orleans Hornets.Benson has owned the Saints since 1985,Germany Euro Shirts, and wasn’t always viewed favorably by fans. He reportedly wanted to move the Saints permanently to San Antonio after Hurricane Katrina. But former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue urged Benson to keep the team in New Orleans.Benson did,euro shirt, and eventually worked out a long-term deal that included major upgrades to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Until the bounty program was exposed,euro 2012 shirts, the Saints have enjoyed an unprecedented era of success since 2006.Maybe Benson can make a similar story out of the Hornets. But he also might want to get Saints quarterback Drew Brees signed to a long-term contract before the team’s offseason program starts Monday.

Audibles- Saints at Bears

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Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas New Orleans Saints (7-6) at Chicago Bears (7-6),euro 2012 shirts, 8:15 p.m. ET If you think Sunday's big performance by running back Pierre Thomas or the cold weather will prompt coach Sean Payton to cut back on the passing game against the Bears, you're probably wrong. Payton's been riding quarterback Drew Brees all season and a forecast of 25 degrees (with a wind chill of 13) won't impact the quarterback, if his history means anything. Brees has been productive in his last two trips to Chicago and both games were played in cold weather. Although the Saints lost both games, Brees put up good numbers. Brees threw for 354 yards in the 2006 NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field. He also threw for 320 yards in a Week 17 game there last season. With the Bears ranked No. 28 in pass defense,Greece Euro 2012 Shirts, Payton isn't likely to suddenly change his whole philosophy. Brees is the only reason the Saints are clinging to playoff hope.

It's back- NFL Playoff Machine goes live

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The San Francisco 49ers would emerge from the NFC with a 15-1 record and the No. 2 seed if teams with superior records beat teams with lesser records the rest of thew way.The 49ers would emerge from the NFC with an 11-5 record and the No. 2 seed if home teams beat road teams the rest of the way. They would finish 13-3 and secure the No. 2 seed if teams with higher rankings for total offense won out. They would finish 15-1 and secure the No. 1 seed if teams with higher defensive rankings won out.It's possible, also, for the Seattle Seahawks to emerge from this season as the fifth or sixth seed in the NFC,champions league shirts, among other scenarios.Those interested in playing around with the nearly endless possibilities can check out ESPN's Playoff Machine,euro shirt, which allows users to produce all possible playoff seeding scenarios by tweaking results for the remaining six weeks of the season.This will come in handy as the season progresses.

Additional details on Warner's injury

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ST. LOUIS -- Kurt Warner was rolling to his right on a first-and-10 play from the Arizona 45 when he threw complete to Larry Fitzgerald for 14 yards.WarnerRams safety Oshiomogho Atogwe was chasing Warner and hit him right after Warner threw. Warner went down hard and appeared shaky as he got up. He went back to the huddle and gave a fist bump to Fitzgerald as if he knew what was going on.After a running play,Greece Euro 2012 Shirts, Warner threw to Anquan Boldin for gains of 8 and 38 yards. Warner took another shot after the 38-yard pass. The combination of that hit and the earlier hit could have affected him. I do not know if it was one or both hits that bothered him.Warner threw incomplete on first-and-goal from the 1 before the Cardinals called two running plays, scoring on the second one. Warner then missed the next series to close the first half.The Cardinals listed his return as questionable,euro shirts, saying he had taken a "blow to the head" (they did not say it was a concussion).

Sandusky trial to begin as scheduled June 5

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The trial of former Penn State assistant Jerry Sandusky on child sex abuse charges will begin as scheduled on June 5.Judge John Cleland on Monday denied a request from Sandusky's attorney for a delay in the trial. Attorney Joe Amendola on May 9 asked that the start of jury selection be pushed back because he needed more time to find and interview witnesses,Italy Euro Shirts, and because pending criminal charges against two former Penn State administrators (Tim Curley and Gary Schultz) made them unavailable as witnesses. Attorneys for both Curley and Schultz have informed Amendola that their clients will invoke the Fifth Amendment rights and refuse to testify during the Sandusky trial if subpoenaed.Sandusky faces 52 counts of alleged abuse of 10 boys during a 15-year span. Jury selection begins June 5,euro 2012 shirts, and jurors will be selected from the State College area.

Sparano safe- 49ers' Harbaugh prospects

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The Miami Dolphins' bizarre rendezvous with Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh has apparently ended.What does that mean for the San Francisco 49ers?It cannot be bad.The Denver Broncos have said they're interested in Harbaugh. The 49ers have obviously expressed interest.Returning to Stanford could be a more appealing option now that quarterback Andrew Luck has decided to skip the NFL draft. In that case, Harbaugh could be taking what amounts to a victory lap following a sensational season at Stanford,Italy Euro Shirts, scanning the NFL landscape to give him a better feel for future opportunities.The NFL's uncertain labor situation has put some teams in a holding pattern. Harbaugh might be able to leverage more lucrative opportunities next offseason,chelsea shirt 2012, should stability improve. And if he enjoyed another strong season at Stanford, his prospects would only improve.Harbaugh might have told himself he'll accept only the perfect opportunity, and that opportunity might not have presented itself.

Will Plaxico Burress end up with Jets-

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On his ESPN Insider blog,euro 2012 shirt, the lead item in Adam Schefter's mailbag deals with a big name possibly landing with the New York Jets after the lockout. Burress Wide receiver Plaxico Burress is scheduled to be released from prison in less than four weeks,euro shirts, and Schefter writes circumstances could lead the Jets to bring Burress aboard.A couple of months ago, I broke down how interested the AFC East might be in Burress and rated the Jets the most likely destination among the four clubs.The Jets have three receivers with expired contracts: Braylon Edwards, Santonio Holmes and Brad Smith.The Jets drafted TCU receiver Jeremy Kerley in the fifth round and Colorado receiver Scotty McKnight in the seventh round, but players taken so late provide no guarantees. In fact, they take time to develop and usually don't provide an impact.Burress would and could be worth a short-term contract. He'll turn 34 years old in August and certainly will need to knock off some rust. He hasn't played since November 2008.

Colts add another lineman, Mike McGlynn

The Colts recrafting of their offensive line group is now two deep. A day after trading for Winston Justice,chelsea shirt 2012, the team has a deal with Mike McGlynn, according to a tweet from McGlynn.But while Justice looks to be a favorite to start at right tackle, McGlynn played sparingly for Cincinnati last season, mostly because of injury Bobbie Williams.He started the Bengals final three regular-season games and their playoff game at right guard, and was also listed as the backup to Kyle Cook at center.Four of the Colts top-five interior linemen from the end of last season are not under contract: center Jeff Saturday,Portugal Euro 2012 shirts, guard Mike Pollak, guard Jamey Richard and Ryan Diem,euro 2012 shirts, who shifted inside last year after a long tenure as the right tackle.Ben Ijalana, who missed his rookie year with an early knee injury, could be in the guard mix going forward, particularly if Justice proves solid at tackle.Will McGlynn be more than depth?We’ll have to see who else Indianapolis winds up with and how they all play.

Neil Rackers is on Jets radar

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New York Jets kicker Nick Folk shouldn't get too comfortable.The Jets clearly aren't comfortable with turning over the job to Folk,Czech Euro 2012 Shirts, not after departing kicker Jay Feely said Friday the club wanted him back and especially not after reading Adam Schefter's report the Jets were flying in Neil Rackers for a visit.Rackers is available because Feely has supplanted him with the Arizona Cardinals. Feely agreed to a two-year deal.Rackers spent the past seven seasons with Arizona. He made 16 of his 17 field-goal attempts last year,euro 2012 shirts, but suffered a serious groin injury late in the season and missed two games.Arizona Republic reporter Kent Somers wrote the Cardinals wanted Rackers back, but they had trouble negotiating a new deal.Folk is coming off a disastrous season. The Dallas Cowboys waived him two games before the playoffs. He missed a kick in each of his final six games.

Eli Manning- I'm in a class with Tom Brady

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Eli Manning is a top-caliber quarterback. Well, at least he says he is.ManningThe New York Giants quarterback, who does have a Super Bowl MVP award to his name, said on "The Michael Kay Show" on ESPN New York 1050 on Tuesday that he considers himself to be a top quarterback who belongs in the same class as New England's Tom Brady."I consider myself in that class and Tom Brady is a great quarterback, he's a great player and what you've seen with him is he's gotten better every year and he started off winning championships and I think he's a better quarterback now than what he was,chelsea shirt 2012, in all honesty, when he was winning those championships,new england shirt," Manning said Tuesday. "It's funny, you say well he won championships, but the team, but I think know he's grown up and gotten better every year and that's what I'm trying to do. I kind of hope these next seven years of my quarterback days are my best."For the full story, click here.

Opening night spotlight for Titans in Steel City

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky The Titans often complain about their lack of national attention. They'll get the first chance at a first impression in 2009 when they travel to Pittsburgh to open against the Super Bowl XLIII champion Steelers on Sept. 10 on NBC. Tennessee beat the Steelers at LP Field in Nashville in Week 16 last season,Czech Euro 2012 Shirts, clinching home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. But the Titans couldn't force a rematch,new england shirt, losing to Baltimore in the first round of the playoffs, leaving Pittsburgh to host,Italy Euro Shirts, and win, the AFC Championship Game. Had enough of the debate over the Titans' stomping a Terrible Towel at the conclusion of that regular-season win? Tough luck, because it'll be revisited ad nauseam in the buildup to that game. The Titans also open the NFL preseason with an appearance in the Hall of Fame Game against Buffalo. Jeff Fisher is going to need to rest a lot of his front-line players in the fifth preseason game given a Thursday night start to the regular season.

Historic quarter for Oklahoma State

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GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Not at all what we expected early here in the Fiesta Bowl.Stanford's defense has defended OSU's weapons well, and leads 7-0 at the end of the first quarter because of it.It's the first time Oklahoma State's been shut out in the first quarter all season. That's amazing. The Cowboys can't get open downfield, and Brandon Weeden hasn't been sharp,Spain Euro Shirts, missing on a few throws and underthrowing Justin Blackmon into zone coverage for an interception on his first attempt.The offense looks rusty and Weeden looks a bit confused by some of the coverages he's seen. That interception was the only time he targeted Blackmon in the quarter, too.Oklahoma State has defended the run really well outside of a couple plays,Italy Euro Shirts, but Andrew Luck burned the Cowboys on a play-action pass to Ty Montgomery for a 53-yard score. Look for more of that over the final three quarters.

Vlachos proving he can 'play with anybody'

MOBILE, Ala. -- After more than 40 career starts, William Vlachos is looking to settle in. His career at the University of Alabama is over, and after four years in Tuscaloosa, Vlachos finds himself a stranger in a strange town.So much has changed. The sights,champions league shirts, the players, the coaches and even the language is different. At the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.,chelsea shirt 2012, the 23-year-old center is trying his hand at something new, trying to prove he can play on Sundays after a career of autumn Saturdays in the South.“You’re talking about an entirely new snap count,Greece Euro 2012 Shirts,” Vlachos said. “[Georgia’s] Ben Jones and I have started 40 games with the same snap count. You’re talking about a completely new set of hands behind you so it’s tough.“I think everyone was a little bit rusty at first, a little anxious. All the best players in the country are here with new terminology, new quarterbacks behind you -- all that stuff which adds to the anxiousness.”Click here to read the complete story .

Bucs could be facing Curtis Painter

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It looks like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are catching yet another break for their Monday night game with Indianapolis.Quarterback Kerry Collins has yet to practice this week and is dealing with concussion-like symptoms. The Colts are preparing as if Curtis Painter will be the starter and that’s good news for the Buccaneers.Painter,new england shirt, a third-year pro, has appeared in only three NFL games. One of those came last week against Pittsburgh after Collins had to leave the game and Painter completed five of 11 passes for 60 yards, was sacked once and lost a fumble.For his career,Portugal Euro 2012 shirts, Painter has completed 13 of 39 passes for 143 yards. He’s thrown two interceptions and has a 23.8 career passer rating. Painter has not thrown a touchdown pass in the NFL.The Bucs caught their first break when Manning had a neck injury, which reportedly could keep him out until November or December, and the Colts were forced to coax Collins out of retirement. The Colts went out and signed career backup Dan Orlovsky on Wednesday.

Seahawks' Lynch following FB to Pro Bowl-

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Imagine how many yards Marshawn Lynch might gain if the Seattle Seahawks had a Pro Bowl fullback.OK,Germany Euro Shirts, now. Stop imagining.The NFL has named Seattle's Michael Robinson to the Pro Bowl as an injury replacement for Green Bay fullback John Kuhn. Robinson played an important role in Lynch's 1,200-yard season. He also remained a key player on special teams.We should expect Lynch to join Robinson on the NFC's Pro Bowl roster if the San Francisco 49ers advance to the Super Bowl.Lynch was a second alternate to the NFC squad. LeSean McCoy, Matt Forte and Frank Gore earned NFC Pro Bowl honors at the position. Forte plans to play in the Pro Bowl despite suffering a knee injury. The first alternate,euro shirt, Adrian Peterson, is out with a knee injury. That puts Lynch in line to replace Gore if the 49ers advance.A 49ers victory Sunday would also send Seattle cornerback Brandon Browner and strong safety Kam Chancellor to the Pro Bowl as alternates. Browner would replace the 49ers' Carlos Rogers. Chancellor would replace the 49ers' Dashon Goldson.

Patriots add WR Anthony Gonzalez

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This week the New England Patriots have been pretty quiet with signing outside free agents. But the reigning AFC champions announced Saturday they agreed to terms with former Indianapolis Colts receiver Anthony Gonzalez.The former Colt has had an injury-plagued career. Gonzalez has played a total of eight games since 2009 and has just five receptions in that span.This signing could turn out to be a non-factor for the Patriots. Gonzalez,chelsea shirt 2012, 27,Greece Euro 2012 Shirts, will first have to prove he's healthy and still productive enough to make New England's roster in training camp.When healthy, Gonzalez was a Wes Welker-type who could find openings in the defense from the slot. But Gonzalez hasn't been that type of player in almost four years.There's no reason for Patriots fans to get too excited over this signing. The team remains in pursuit of bigger names — like veteran receiver Brandon Lloyd and hard-hitting safety LaRon Landry — who are more certain to make an immediate impact.

Cardinals do part on record NFL Sunday

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The Arizona Cardinals turned a 19-7 deficit into a 21-19 victory Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.Week 14: Big ComebacksTeamDown byWon byFalcons168Jaguars1427Texans131Cardinals122Giants123Four other teams also overcame deficits of 12 points or greater,euro2012shirt.org.uk, making Sunday the first day with five such games in NFL history,Germany Euro Shirts, according to Elias Sports Bureau. There were six comebacks from at least 10 points behind, the first time since 1999 that had happened in one day.The chart shows which teams overcame deficits of at least 12 points Sunday.The Cardinals fell behind 19-7 when the 49ers' Frank Gore broke free for a 37-yard touchdown run with 12:24 remaining in the third quarter. Strong defense and touchdown passes from John Skelton to Larry Fitzgerald (46 yards) and Andre Roberts (three yards) gave the Cardinals their first lead since the second quarter.

The Giants touch down in Motown

I just spoke to a member of the New York Giants' organization who was on the team charter when it landed a few moments ago in Detroit. You could hear loud shouts of joy from players in the background who apparently were impressed with the landing in snowy conditions.The team will bus to a downtown hotel where they will have meetings tonight and might have a walk-through. The Giants can't head over to Ford Field because there's a game between Detroit and Green Bay going on as we speak. And by the way, the team representative said that playing the game at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, had been brought up at one point,Czech Euro 2012 Shirts, but the flight home (3 1/2 hours) was a bit much. It will take the Giants about two hours, 20 minutes to fly home from Detroit.We'll continue to keep you posted throughout the afternoon and evening. In other news,Germany Euro Shirts, the Redskins continue to cling to a 10-9 lead against Tampa Bay. Running back Ryan Torain had 158 yards in the first half,Greece Euro 2012 Shirts, but he's been held to 18 yards on five carries in the second half.

Iowa beating Iowa State big up front

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Iowa State got left tackle Kelechi Osemele back on the field, but its slow start continues.Iowa is dominating the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and leads 10-0. Mike Meyer's field goal attempt clanged off the upright but slipped through.The Hawkeyes have run for 61 yards on 13 carries and have converted 3 of 4 third downs.On Iowa State's possession between the two Iowa touchdowns,chelsea shirt 2012, it was stuffed on a third-and-1.The Cyclones struggled along the defensive line last year, and it doesn't look much better so far. Defensive end Roosevelt Maggitt is out for the season with a torn ACL, but if Iowa quarterback James Vandenberg gets this much time in the pocket and that much push up front, the Hawkeyes' lead is only going to grow.It's been a better start for Steele Jantz,Czech Euro 2012 Shirts, though. He threw three picks early in last week's game, but he's 3-of-3 for 30 years early, with a nice called draw to earn a first down in the red zone on the opening drive.

Rams exec explains Atogwe tender

Rams vice president Kevin Demoff used a chat on NFL.com to explain the team's thinking on offering free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe the lowest restricted free-agent tender:Demoff: We have tendered Oshiomogho Atogwe at the Right of First Refusal level,euro shirts, which allows us the chance to match any offer sheet he signs between now and the week before the Draft. Should OJ not sign an offer sheet,euro2012shirt.org.uk, his rights would revert back to the Rams. On June 1st,euro shirt, we have the option to either increase his salary to nearly $7m or to release him and let him be an unrestricted free agent. We could not have asked for OJ to handle his situation better than he did last year. I remain optimistic that we will be able to work out a long-term deal with OJ, and this is the first step in that process.That is the explanation I was hoping to receive. Nice of him to explain it so clearly.

UM-OSU rivalry spicy at Chili Peppers show

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It's not quite the same as heading to The Shoe decked out in Maize and Blue, but Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith made himself somewhat of a marked man last Monday night in Columbus.At the end of a Chili Peppers show at Value City Arena -- home of Ohio State's basketball teams, among others -- Smith interrupted adoring applause by stepping to the mic and reciting a line from "The Victors," Michigan's fight song. Needless to say, cheers quickly turned to boos as Smith exited the stage. Check out the video (Smith's singing begins at the :50 mark).Smith grew up mostly in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.,euro 2012 shirts, and attended Lahser High School. He's a big fan of Michigan teams, including the Wolverines and the NHL's Detroit Red Wings.If only John Legend were there to fire back for the Buckeyes.It's nice to see the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry is alive and well,euro shirts, even at a rock concert in June.

Will Steelers open season on Sunday night-

There are rumblings that the Pittsburgh Steelers will open the regular season at the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football.The Broncos have received word that they will kick off the season on Sunday, according to the Denver Post,Czech Euro 2012 Shirts, which suggests the Steelers are the best bet to be the opponent. There are other candidates,chelsea shirt 2012, but The Post speculates the NFL wouldn't want a prime-time game involving the scandal-ridden Saints,Germany Euro Shirts, or put the Broncos on the road at New England.It would make sense scheduling the Steelers at the Broncos, which is a rematch of last season's divisional playoff game.The news has already circulated to Steelers safety Ryan Clark, who sat out the playoff game because the high altitude can affect his blood condition. "Hearing Steelers @ Broncos could be 1st Sunday night game of the season," Clark posted on Twitter. "If that happens, guess I'll wait for week 2."This probably won't get confirmed for another month. The full NFL schedule is typically released a week before the draft.

Is Hines Ward announcing his retirement-

The Pittsburgh Steelers have set up a noon news conference with Hines Ward, the franchise's all-time leading receiver.WardIt's presumed that Ward will announce that he will retire after 13 years and 1,000 receptions. This is a fitting -- and likely emotional -- way to wrap up Ward's career.Ward's toughness epitomized the Steelers, and he should go out as a Steeler.This would also squash any hard feelings from Ward's release on Feb. 29. Ward, 36,Germany Euro Shirts, wanted to keep playing for Pittsburgh and repeatedly said he would take a pay cut to remain with the team. The Steelers, however,euro 2012 shirt, never approached him about reducing his salary before parting ways."This isn't how I wanted this chapter of my career to end," Ward said in a statement after his release. "I did everything in my power to remain a Steeler and finish what I started here 14 years ago."If every indication is true about the upcoming news conference,euro shirts, Ward will finish his career the way he intended it -- as a Steeler.