KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)Leonard Pope(notes) cradled the touchdown pass fromquarterback Matt Cassel(notes) with Official Jason Campbell Jersey just less than 5 minutes left in the game, pullingthe Kansas City Chiefs within a field goal of the San Diego Chargers in acritical game on the road.Then he pulled his helmet off, and the penalty flags flew.Pope was given a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for taking hishelmet off while still on the field. The defense ultimately held, giving KansasCity a chance to win in the closing minutes, but the mental mistake demonstrateda frustrating trend that developed in a 20-17 loss.
For the first time all season, the Chiefs did some things that gave coaches,players and fans reasons to be hopeful. And then they did something momentslater to dash Jason Campbell Authentic Jersey that optimism."Shooting ourselves in our foot," fullback Le'Ron McClain(notes) said, repeatingthe old cliche that rings especially true for the defending AFC West champs, whoare off to an 0-3 start.It wasn't just penalties, though there were certainly plenty of those. Butinjuries, missed field goals, defensive letdowns and an inability to punch theball into the end zone after solid, sustained drives all conspired on severaloccasions to turn positives into negatives.Kansas City didn't manage a single first down in the first half against SanDiego, gaining all of 34 yards, but came out of the break and held the Chargersto a three-and-out. It gave the Chiefs the ball across midfield and they managedto go the rest of the way for a touchdown.Rather Authentic Jacoby Ford Jersey Black than make a stand on defense, though, the Chargers marched 80 yardsin less than 4 minutes for an answering touchdown, negating any momentum KansasCity built.On the Chiefs' ensuing possession, they put together a 21-play driveifyou count penaltiesthat even impressed coach Todd Haley. But the drive endedwhen, on third-and-11 from the 18, a run wholesale nfl jerseys free shipping by Thomas Jones(notes) up the middle gainedjust 3 yards and Ryan Succop(notes) had Raiders Jason Campbell Jersey to trot onto the field for a field goal. It wasa minor letdown after the offense had finally found its rhythm."I've never been a part of a 21-play drive," Haley said, "and that was avery positive thing, despite Jacoby Ford Jersey Black the penalties and only getting three points out ofit."The Chargers' defense was worn down and the momentum was swinging backtoward the Chiefs, but the defense again couldn't make a stand. San Diego puttogether a drive of its own for a matching Authentic Jason Campbell Jersey field goal, giving its own defense achance to rest while restoring a 10-point lead."The defense is very aware after a drive like that, we have a chance to putour offense out against a defense that appeared tired, down on a knee and thingslike that, and our defense went out and fully intended to get that three-and-outand just pressed a bit," Haley said.The list of positives dulled by negatives goes on and on.Kendrick Lewis(notes) picked off Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers(notes) in the firstquarter to give Kansas City prime field position. Unable to move the ball, theChiefs settled for a 38-year field goal try that Succop missed wide right."Everyone in the locker room is counting on those points," Succop said.Later in the half, Brandon Flowers(notes) picked off Rivers and returned the ball43 yards to give Kansas City excellent field position. The young startingcornerback was slow to get up after the play, though, and Flowers didn't returnto the gameeven though Haley said he tried.Flowers said afterward he hurt his ankle on the return and that an injectiondidn't do a whole lot to Jacoby Ford Jersey White numb the pain. His status for next week's game againstMinnesota is in question."He made a big play for us and unfortunately couldn't continue," saidHaley, who hopes to know whether Flowers will be available for the Vikings laterin the week. "I had to drag him off the field once. Our trainers are overhelping someone else and I had to drag him off the field."The fact Flowers wanted to play through the pain proves how much everyone onthe sideline still cares, Haley said. The Chiefs may be winless through threeweeks, including a pair of ugly losses to start the season, but there are signsof hope for the first time all year.Even if most of them have been obscured by misfortune."We just need to get over the hump and play Chiefs football," McClainsaid. "We'll be OK."
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP)Leslie Frazier's six-week stint as interim headcoach last season for Minnesota was full of complications, from a slew ofinjuries to the Brett Favre(notes) sideshow to the snowstorms that postponed orrelocated three straight games.Frazier's latest tall task is to revive the Vikings from the 0-3 start andkeep them from spiraling into a state of discouragement following three straightsquandered Mark Sanchez Jersey Blue second-half leads."It takes a little while, especially the way some of our games have gone oflate," Frazier said Monday, when asked about how he's recovered from another"heart-wrenching loss," as he put it. "You run some things back and forth inyour mind, try to work through `em and see how they might help you in thefuture."
Given the almost-unfathomable fashion in which the Vikings have lostthey've been outscored 67-6 after halftime after building a cumulative 54-7advantage over the first two quartersthere are several areas under scrutinythis week by fans and analysts. Like every other NFL coach, Frazier's managementof the game is on full display for everyone to dissect, and a late decision hemade on each of the last two Sunday afternoons became a key part of the outcome.With the Vikings clinging to a three-point lead on Sept. 18 and Tampa Baydriving for the go-ahead touchdown, Frazier opted to keep all three of theteam's timeouts to use on Mark Sanchez Jersey Womens offense, explaining afterward he firmly believed thedefense would keep the Buccaneers out of the end zone. But they took the clockdown more than 3 1/2 minutes to 35 seconds Mark Sanchez Jersey Red left, and the Vikings weren't able tocatch up.Then against Detroit, with the Vikings facing fourth-and-1 at the 17-yardline, Frazier kept the field-goal unit on the sideline. Toby Gerhart(notes) took aquick inside handoff, rather than star Adrian Peterson, and was stopped for nogain. The Lions went the other way and tied the game before winning by threepoints in overtime."We were confident that we had a good play that would get us the firstdown," Frazier said.Defensive end Jared Allen(notes) said he likes "that kind of football," anaggressive move to try to take a 10-point lead."That's just the ebbs and flows of the game," defensive tackle KevinWilliams(notes) said. "We make it, everybody's happy. We didn't make it, so it'squestionable now."With a full day to reflect on the play, Frazier smiled when asked if hewould've done it differently."I wouldn't mind if I could have gone out there and made that block for ourguys and just got that first down," Frazier said. "I thought we could get it.It didn't work out."Though offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave calls the plays, Peterson's usewas another topic of external examination of Frazier, who vowed to focus thisweek on ensuring that Peterson remains an Authentic Mark Sanchez Jersey Green integral part of the offense in thesecond half. He had only five yards on five carries after halftime againstDetroit, excluding a 14-yard gain negated by penalty."I have to remind myself of this: Even if Adrian gets stopped for negativegain or two yards because they've got so many people at the Authentic Darrelle Revis Jersey line of scrimmage,he's such a great player that even against eight-man fronts he can still makesomething happen," Frazier said. "You can't ever forget that."One of the reasons why Peterson didn't touch the ball more Santonio Holmes Authentic Jersey was that theVikings went three-and-out four times in the second half. Quarterback DonovanMcNabb's(notes) misfires on some critical passes have been part of the problem.McNabb's wrist bothered him during the game, but Frazier insisted he was "stillpretty good" after he hurt it. But the coach said the Vikings would look at hisdrops in the pocket and footwork this week to determine whether he can fix someof the short hops he's thrown."That's not the only reason we're falling short. That's one of the reasons.There are some other things we have to work on as a team," Frazier said.Like getting open down field and giving McNabb time to throw when he doeswant to go deep. Wide receiver Bernard Berrian(notes), whose role is exactly that, hasjust one catch in three games.McNabb has only one turnoverFavre had seven by this point last seasonbut if his accuracy continues to be a problem, Frazier will find anotherimportant decision in the spotlight. With first-round draft pick ChristianPonder(notes) learning behind the 34-year-old McNabb, the Vikings could be wise to turnto the rookie if they fall out of the playoff race early.For now, Frazier's main priority is to keep the spirits up."This team, we're strong. Everybody is for each other," wide receiverPercy Harvin(notes) said.NOTES: Harvin declined to be specific about the illness that kept him out ofone practice last week and a chunk of the fourth quarter on Sunday. "I'm finenow. No symptoms. Everything's good. It was really nothing," he said. Mark Sanchez Jersey Green Frazier said Williams was "a little sore" on Monday morning after his firstgame following a two-game suspension but said he thought the nine-year veteranwas "a factor" in the defense that held the Lions to 20 yards rushing on 19attempts and that the attention Authentic Santonio Holmes Jersey he drew inside helped Allen and DE Brian Robison(notes)see more one-on-one matchups outside on the pass rush.Follow Dave Campbell on Twitter: /DaveCampbellAP
Given the almost-unfathomable fashion in which the Vikings have lostthey've been outscored 67-6 after halftime after building a cumulative 54-7advantage over the first two quartersthere are several areas under scrutinythis week by fans and analysts. Like every other NFL coach, Frazier's managementof the game is on full display for everyone to dissect, and a late decision hemade on each of the last two Sunday afternoons became a key part of the outcome.With the Vikings clinging to a three-point lead on Sept. 18 and Tampa Baydriving for the go-ahead touchdown, Frazier opted to keep all three of theteam's timeouts to use on Mark Sanchez Jersey Womens offense, explaining afterward he firmly believed thedefense would keep the Buccaneers out of the end zone. But they took the clockdown more than 3 1/2 minutes to 35 seconds Mark Sanchez Jersey Red left, and the Vikings weren't able tocatch up.Then against Detroit, with the Vikings facing fourth-and-1 at the 17-yardline, Frazier kept the field-goal unit on the sideline. Toby Gerhart(notes) took aquick inside handoff, rather than star Adrian Peterson, and was stopped for nogain. The Lions went the other way and tied the game before winning by threepoints in overtime."We were confident that we had a good play that would get us the firstdown," Frazier said.Defensive end Jared Allen(notes) said he likes "that kind of football," anaggressive move to try to take a 10-point lead."That's just the ebbs and flows of the game," defensive tackle KevinWilliams(notes) said. "We make it, everybody's happy. We didn't make it, so it'squestionable now."With a full day to reflect on the play, Frazier smiled when asked if hewould've done it differently."I wouldn't mind if I could have gone out there and made that block for ourguys and just got that first down," Frazier said. "I thought we could get it.It didn't work out."Though offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave calls the plays, Peterson's usewas another topic of external examination of Frazier, who vowed to focus thisweek on ensuring that Peterson remains an Authentic Mark Sanchez Jersey Green integral part of the offense in thesecond half. He had only five yards on five carries after halftime againstDetroit, excluding a 14-yard gain negated by penalty."I have to remind myself of this: Even if Adrian gets stopped for negativegain or two yards because they've got so many people at the Authentic Darrelle Revis Jersey line of scrimmage,he's such a great player that even against eight-man fronts he can still makesomething happen," Frazier said. "You can't ever forget that."One of the reasons why Peterson didn't touch the ball more Santonio Holmes Authentic Jersey was that theVikings went three-and-out four times in the second half. Quarterback DonovanMcNabb's(notes) misfires on some critical passes have been part of the problem.McNabb's wrist bothered him during the game, but Frazier insisted he was "stillpretty good" after he hurt it. But the coach said the Vikings would look at hisdrops in the pocket and footwork this week to determine whether he can fix someof the short hops he's thrown."That's not the only reason we're falling short. That's one of the reasons.There are some other things we have to work on as a team," Frazier said.Like getting open down field and giving McNabb time to throw when he doeswant to go deep. Wide receiver Bernard Berrian(notes), whose role is exactly that, hasjust one catch in three games.McNabb has only one turnoverFavre had seven by this point last seasonbut if his accuracy continues to be a problem, Frazier will find anotherimportant decision in the spotlight. With first-round draft pick ChristianPonder(notes) learning behind the 34-year-old McNabb, the Vikings could be wise to turnto the rookie if they fall out of the playoff race early.For now, Frazier's main priority is to keep the spirits up."This team, we're strong. Everybody is for each other," wide receiverPercy Harvin(notes) said.NOTES: Harvin declined to be specific about the illness that kept him out ofone practice last week and a chunk of the fourth quarter on Sunday. "I'm finenow. No symptoms. Everything's good. It was really nothing," he said. Mark Sanchez Jersey Green Frazier said Williams was "a little sore" on Monday morning after his firstgame following a two-game suspension but said he thought the nine-year veteranwas "a factor" in the defense that held the Lions to 20 yards rushing on 19attempts and that the attention Authentic Santonio Holmes Jersey he drew inside helped Allen and DE Brian Robison(notes)see more one-on-one matchups outside on the pass rush.Follow Dave Campbell on Twitter: /DaveCampbellAP
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)Peyton Manning(notes) is out, Kerry Collins(notes) is hurt and CurtisPainter(notes) isn't sure if he'll be starting next week.It's just another messy Monday in Indianapolis.Less than 13 hours after a third straight loss, the Colts' quarterbackcarousel spun wildlyteam officials denied a report Manning was lost for theseason, declined to Santonio Holmes Jersey White say whether Official Santonio Holmes Jersey Collins had suffered a concussion andsidestepped the issue of adding another quarterback to the roster.
"It just depends on the situation and we'll address it as we go," coachJim Caldwell said. "We have to look at all the possibilities, and it's our jobto cover all those bases."Many are wondering just how much can be covered this week.Manning is expected to miss at least five more weeks and perhaps the seasonafter having neck surgery Sept. 8, his third in 19 months.Collins didn't talk to reporters Monday because he was receiving Santonio Holmes Jersey Green injurytreatment. Caldwell said Collins was forced out of Sunday night's game becauseof concussion-like symptoms and that he was still being evaluated. Collins alsomissed practice time last week with a sore throwing shoulder.Colts vice chairman Bill Polian told radio listeners Monday night thatCollins was "feeling better today than he was yesterday" with a decisionexpected later this week."He has to go through a workout protocol, and we will know more later inthe week," Polian said.The only other quarterback on the Colts' active roster is Painter, thetough-luck backup who led the Colts to their most meaningful touchdown drive ofthe season Sunday night. Painter is still waiting to hear whether he will makehis first career start next Monday at Tampa Bay."I'm not sure," he said. "I'm sure we'll find out more in the next coupleof days."Collins' injury status isn't the only concern at the team complex.Last week, fed-up fans started lobbying for Painter to replace Collins. OnMonday, those calls picked up steam.Collins has completed 49 percent of his passes, averaging less than 5 Santonio Holmes Jersey Blue yardsper attempt. He's thrown two TDs, one interception, lost three fumbles and beensacked five times and, at times, looked absolutely dreadful.During a second-half stretch in the Week 2 loss to Cleveland, Collins threw10 straight incompletions and was 3 of 9 in the third quarter Sunday beforeleaving.Painter went 5 of 11 for 60 yards with one sack, one lost fumble butproduced Indy's only TD drive of the game. It was his first regular-seasonaction since the end of 2009.After Sunday's game, Caldwell said he and his staff would evaluate the playof both quarterbacks, and not just because of Collins' health."We will look at all the other factors as well. All of them," Caldwellsaid Sunday night.Of course, the first full-blown quarterback controversy in Indy sinceManning's arrival wouldn't be complete without an update on the Authentic Santonio Holmes Jersey Green four-time leagueMVP.Team owner Jim Irsay reportedly told attendees at a private breakfast withSuper Bowl donors Monday morning that Manning would miss the rest of the season.A few hours later, Irsay wrote this on Twitter: "I didn't say Peyton out4season FOR SURE,keeping him on ActiveRoster n taking it month by month/Outsidechance of return n December possible."That's essentially what the Colts have been saying for the past 3 1/2 weeks.Caldwell's response: "The only thing I know is what was stated on Sept. 8when we released the last statement. I think that stands, and I think our ownerclarified his position with his last tweet."Some fans are already pleading for the Colts to bring in new quarterbacks.The most obvious names are Brett Favre(notes), David Garrard(notes) and Carson Palmer(notes).Favre, who turns 42 next month, struggled last season with the Vikings andhas shown no indication he'll be making another NFL comeback.Garrard's agent, Al Irby, said in an email to The Associated Press that Indyhas not contacted him, and the price Jets Santonio Holmes Jersey to get Palmer, presumably a first orsecond-round pick, may be too much for the Colts.Besides, it might not even help."You've got to be realistic about it," Colts vice chairman Bill Poliansaid last week. "You have to be tough-minded, you have to be thick-skinned andyou have to be as realistic as you can be. Nobody can operate the offense theway Peyton can."Perhaps that's why some of the fans writing off this season are alreadylobbying to Permier Santonio Holmes Jersey choose Manning's successor.They want the Colts to throw away the season and use the No. 1 draft pick onStanford's Andrew Lucknot a popular thought in the locker room."This is not where this team expected to be after three games, 0-3," ProBowl center Jeff Saturday(notes) said. "It's unacceptable and we've got to get awin."And Manning may still be able to help break the losing streak."He's a resource for us. He's been around this Authentic LaDainian Tomlinson Jersey system for a long time, andI don't think you're very smart if you don't use it," Caldwell said. We don'tcare whose idea it is. We use everything we possibly can."
"It just depends on the situation and we'll address it as we go," coachJim Caldwell said. "We have to look at all the possibilities, and it's our jobto cover all those bases."Many are wondering just how much can be covered this week.Manning is expected to miss at least five more weeks and perhaps the seasonafter having neck surgery Sept. 8, his third in 19 months.Collins didn't talk to reporters Monday because he was receiving Santonio Holmes Jersey Green injurytreatment. Caldwell said Collins was forced out of Sunday night's game becauseof concussion-like symptoms and that he was still being evaluated. Collins alsomissed practice time last week with a sore throwing shoulder.Colts vice chairman Bill Polian told radio listeners Monday night thatCollins was "feeling better today than he was yesterday" with a decisionexpected later this week."He has to go through a workout protocol, and we will know more later inthe week," Polian said.The only other quarterback on the Colts' active roster is Painter, thetough-luck backup who led the Colts to their most meaningful touchdown drive ofthe season Sunday night. Painter is still waiting to hear whether he will makehis first career start next Monday at Tampa Bay."I'm not sure," he said. "I'm sure we'll find out more in the next coupleof days."Collins' injury status isn't the only concern at the team complex.Last week, fed-up fans started lobbying for Painter to replace Collins. OnMonday, those calls picked up steam.Collins has completed 49 percent of his passes, averaging less than 5 Santonio Holmes Jersey Blue yardsper attempt. He's thrown two TDs, one interception, lost three fumbles and beensacked five times and, at times, looked absolutely dreadful.During a second-half stretch in the Week 2 loss to Cleveland, Collins threw10 straight incompletions and was 3 of 9 in the third quarter Sunday beforeleaving.Painter went 5 of 11 for 60 yards with one sack, one lost fumble butproduced Indy's only TD drive of the game. It was his first regular-seasonaction since the end of 2009.After Sunday's game, Caldwell said he and his staff would evaluate the playof both quarterbacks, and not just because of Collins' health."We will look at all the other factors as well. All of them," Caldwellsaid Sunday night.Of course, the first full-blown quarterback controversy in Indy sinceManning's arrival wouldn't be complete without an update on the Authentic Santonio Holmes Jersey Green four-time leagueMVP.Team owner Jim Irsay reportedly told attendees at a private breakfast withSuper Bowl donors Monday morning that Manning would miss the rest of the season.A few hours later, Irsay wrote this on Twitter: "I didn't say Peyton out4season FOR SURE,keeping him on ActiveRoster n taking it month by month/Outsidechance of return n December possible."That's essentially what the Colts have been saying for the past 3 1/2 weeks.Caldwell's response: "The only thing I know is what was stated on Sept. 8when we released the last statement. I think that stands, and I think our ownerclarified his position with his last tweet."Some fans are already pleading for the Colts to bring in new quarterbacks.The most obvious names are Brett Favre(notes), David Garrard(notes) and Carson Palmer(notes).Favre, who turns 42 next month, struggled last season with the Vikings andhas shown no indication he'll be making another NFL comeback.Garrard's agent, Al Irby, said in an email to The Associated Press that Indyhas not contacted him, and the price Jets Santonio Holmes Jersey to get Palmer, presumably a first orsecond-round pick, may be too much for the Colts.Besides, it might not even help."You've got to be realistic about it," Colts vice chairman Bill Poliansaid last week. "You have to be tough-minded, you have to be thick-skinned andyou have to be as realistic as you can be. Nobody can operate the offense theway Peyton can."Perhaps that's why some of the fans writing off this season are alreadylobbying to Permier Santonio Holmes Jersey choose Manning's successor.They want the Colts to throw away the season and use the No. 1 draft pick onStanford's Andrew Lucknot a popular thought in the locker room."This is not where this team expected to be after three games, 0-3," ProBowl center Jeff Saturday(notes) said. "It's unacceptable and we've got to get awin."And Manning may still be able to help break the losing streak."He's a resource for us. He's been around this Authentic LaDainian Tomlinson Jersey system for a long time, andI don't think you're very smart if you don't use it," Caldwell said. We don'tcare whose idea it is. We use everything we possibly can."
BEREA, Ohio (AP)As the elated Browns celebrated in their locker room,Cleveland's players didn't mind that their win on Sunday was ugly.Really ugly. Hideously ugly. Repulsively ugly.Didn't matter. Warts and all, the Browns (2-1) beat Miami Authentic Plaxico Burress Jersey 17-16, rallying inthe final minute to get a victory that seemed unattainable for 59 minutes. And,in pulling out the win, they accomplished something more, something that mayhave gone unnoticed to Cleveland's younger players.
"When all the odds are against you, you come back, you find a way, you keepscratching, clawing and digging and you pull it out, it says a lot about thecharacter on this team," 10-year veteran right tackle Artis Hicks(notes) said. "Onething you can't coach a team is to fight."Either the team has it in them or they don't."On Sunday, the Browns showed their grit at the end.But for most of the day, they were in a football funk.Quarterback Colt McCoy(notes) kept inexplicably missing open receivers and forcingthrows as Cleveland's offense struggled to find any Jets Plaxico Burress Jersey rhythm. With running backPeyton Hillis(notes) out sick, return specialist Josh Cribbs unable to field punts orkickoffs because of a groin injury and Miami's offense Official Plaxico Burress Jersey eating up the clock, theBrowns seemed destined to lose their second straight home Permier Plaxico Burress Jersey game.McCoy, though, led the Browns on an 80-yard scoring drive, capped by a14-yard TD pass to Mohamed Massaquoi(notes), whose leaping, acrobatic catch with 14seconds left gave Cleveland fans a chance to finally celebrate after so manylate, punch-in-the-stomach losses the past few years.Last season alone, the Browns lost seven games by 7 points or less."In the end, winning does wonders," linebacker Chris Gocong(notes) said. "Itreally does boost your confidence and winning like that especially. They saythat it wasn't a pretty win, but I thought it was beautiful."Following the game, coach Pat Shurmur joked that he had upgraded his team'slist of corrections from a "boatload" to Authentic Shonn Greene Jersey Green a "freighter load of stuff tocorrect."On Monday, the Browns, who are 2-1 for the first time in nine years, beganfixing their many mistakes.Shurmur's first priority is to get the Browns to start faster. Cleveland hasbeen outscored 20-0 in the first quarter of its three games, putting the Brownsin early holes and forcing them to have to play from behind. That's a dangeroustrend, one Shurmur knows needs to be corrected.Shurmur feels the remedy could be as simple as getting his players to slowdown. The Browns' offense isn't executing early on, and Shurmur said that couldbe a focus issue."That's the message, Listen guys, relax and just execute,"' Shurmur said."Take the gimmes, get yards on the runs, get into manageable third downs,let's move the Plaxico Burress Authentic Jersey football and find a way to stay on the field. And then thedefense doesn't have to play two-thirds of the game as well."'The Dolphins dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 37:51 Authentic LaDainian Tomlinson Jersey to theBrowns' 22:09, a lopsided statistic that had Shurmur wondering if he had everseen such an imbalance.While Shurmur didn't specifically identify McCoy's uneven performance astroublesome, the second-year QB's inaccuracy for most of the game was definitelya problem. Before Cleveland's final drive, McCoy had completed just 10 passes.He also missed several open targets, including wide receiver Josh Cribbs, whohad gotten behind Miami's secondary.Shurmur dismissed a suggestion that McCoy was "way off.""We were just off a little bit," he said. "But a quarterback that's justa little bit off makes it look like you missed by a mile. It's something thatwe'll work through."McCoy may not have been sharp, but his composure down the stretch impressedhis teammates.He also led them on the sideline and in the huddle, urging the Browns tokeep fighting until the end. He took shots, and came back for more."He showed that he was a tough kid," Hicks said. "Honestly, we got himhit a couple times and each time he got up and shook it off like nothinghappened. To have the poise to sit in the pocket and make the next big throwsays a lot about a quarterback, because not too many guys like to get hit."He was hit a few times and it didn't deter him from sitting in the pocketand stepping down off that hill and delivering the ball. It says a lot about histoughness."The win may have also shown that the Browns are growing and getting better."It's a confidence-builder, because we know that it might not be pretty, itmight not be perfect, but we still found a way to come out with the win," saidHicks, who started for Philadelphia in the 2005 Super Bowl. "I've been part ofsome Shonn Greene Jersey White good teams and I've had some big wins, but yesterday's meant a little bitmore to me than winning by 21."You really get to measure what a team's all about in tough circumstances.The feeling afterwards was the best feeling I've had in a couple years."Notes: RB Peyton Hillis attended team meetings, one day after being senthome before the game with strep throat. Shurmur said Hillis is "gettingbetter." Hillis spent Saturday night at the team hotel and the Browns werehoping he could play. But when his symptoms worsened, they told him to get rest. CB Sheldon Brown(notes) and LB Gocong both strained groins Sunday and could belimited in practice this week. Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas(notes) strained his knee andcould be "limited early in the week."
"When all the odds are against you, you come back, you find a way, you keepscratching, clawing and digging and you pull it out, it says a lot about thecharacter on this team," 10-year veteran right tackle Artis Hicks(notes) said. "Onething you can't coach a team is to fight."Either the team has it in them or they don't."On Sunday, the Browns showed their grit at the end.But for most of the day, they were in a football funk.Quarterback Colt McCoy(notes) kept inexplicably missing open receivers and forcingthrows as Cleveland's offense struggled to find any Jets Plaxico Burress Jersey rhythm. With running backPeyton Hillis(notes) out sick, return specialist Josh Cribbs unable to field punts orkickoffs because of a groin injury and Miami's offense Official Plaxico Burress Jersey eating up the clock, theBrowns seemed destined to lose their second straight home Permier Plaxico Burress Jersey game.McCoy, though, led the Browns on an 80-yard scoring drive, capped by a14-yard TD pass to Mohamed Massaquoi(notes), whose leaping, acrobatic catch with 14seconds left gave Cleveland fans a chance to finally celebrate after so manylate, punch-in-the-stomach losses the past few years.Last season alone, the Browns lost seven games by 7 points or less."In the end, winning does wonders," linebacker Chris Gocong(notes) said. "Itreally does boost your confidence and winning like that especially. They saythat it wasn't a pretty win, but I thought it was beautiful."Following the game, coach Pat Shurmur joked that he had upgraded his team'slist of corrections from a "boatload" to Authentic Shonn Greene Jersey Green a "freighter load of stuff tocorrect."On Monday, the Browns, who are 2-1 for the first time in nine years, beganfixing their many mistakes.Shurmur's first priority is to get the Browns to start faster. Cleveland hasbeen outscored 20-0 in the first quarter of its three games, putting the Brownsin early holes and forcing them to have to play from behind. That's a dangeroustrend, one Shurmur knows needs to be corrected.Shurmur feels the remedy could be as simple as getting his players to slowdown. The Browns' offense isn't executing early on, and Shurmur said that couldbe a focus issue."That's the message, Listen guys, relax and just execute,"' Shurmur said."Take the gimmes, get yards on the runs, get into manageable third downs,let's move the Plaxico Burress Authentic Jersey football and find a way to stay on the field. And then thedefense doesn't have to play two-thirds of the game as well."'The Dolphins dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 37:51 Authentic LaDainian Tomlinson Jersey to theBrowns' 22:09, a lopsided statistic that had Shurmur wondering if he had everseen such an imbalance.While Shurmur didn't specifically identify McCoy's uneven performance astroublesome, the second-year QB's inaccuracy for most of the game was definitelya problem. Before Cleveland's final drive, McCoy had completed just 10 passes.He also missed several open targets, including wide receiver Josh Cribbs, whohad gotten behind Miami's secondary.Shurmur dismissed a suggestion that McCoy was "way off.""We were just off a little bit," he said. "But a quarterback that's justa little bit off makes it look like you missed by a mile. It's something thatwe'll work through."McCoy may not have been sharp, but his composure down the stretch impressedhis teammates.He also led them on the sideline and in the huddle, urging the Browns tokeep fighting until the end. He took shots, and came back for more."He showed that he was a tough kid," Hicks said. "Honestly, we got himhit a couple times and each time he got up and shook it off like nothinghappened. To have the poise to sit in the pocket and make the next big throwsays a lot about a quarterback, because not too many guys like to get hit."He was hit a few times and it didn't deter him from sitting in the pocketand stepping down off that hill and delivering the ball. It says a lot about histoughness."The win may have also shown that the Browns are growing and getting better."It's a confidence-builder, because we know that it might not be pretty, itmight not be perfect, but we still found a way to come out with the win," saidHicks, who started for Philadelphia in the 2005 Super Bowl. "I've been part ofsome Shonn Greene Jersey White good teams and I've had some big wins, but yesterday's meant a little bitmore to me than winning by 21."You really get to measure what a team's all about in tough circumstances.The feeling afterwards was the best feeling I've had in a couple years."Notes: RB Peyton Hillis attended team meetings, one day after being senthome before the game with strep throat. Shurmur said Hillis is "gettingbetter." Hillis spent Saturday night at the team hotel and the Browns werehoping he could play. But when his symptoms worsened, they told him to get rest. CB Sheldon Brown(notes) and LB Gocong both strained groins Sunday and could belimited in practice this week. Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas(notes) strained his knee andcould be "limited early in the week."
Thirty points should be enough to win football games. In fact, the Patriots entered Sunday having scored at least 30 points in 10 consecutive games. They continued the Shonn Greene Jersey Blue streak by putting up 31 on Buffalo but got their first loss when scoring 30-plus points since Week 10 in 2009, when they fell 35-34 to the Authentic Mark Sanchez Jersey Colts.The secondary entered Sunday depleted and inexperienced. Starting safeties Sergio Brown(notes) and Josh Barrett(notes) entered Sunday having started three games combined for New England. The team likely doesn't miss Brandon Meriweather(notes), as parting ways with him had been rumored since last season, but it makes you wonder if the team wished it had Official Shonn Greene Jersey kept James Sanders(notes), who is starting for Atlanta. Barrett took a bad angle on Fred Jackson on the game's defining play, which led to the winning field goal, and Sergio Brown had a pass interference that wiped away an interception.With Dowling out, Shonn Greene Authentic Jersey Kyle Arrington(notes) started and actually had a good game with two picks. But it was Leigh Bodden(notes) and Devin McCourty(notes) who got beat on a couple of big pass plays down the sideline.With the thin secondary in mind, was there ever a game to ramp up the pass rush more than against Buffalo? Sure, the Bills entered Sunday having given up only two sacks, but I doubt anyone expected them to exit Sunday's game with that stat unchanged.The Patriots rarely blitzed, but the D-line also couldn't win the one-on-one battles to get to Fitzpatrick, who gets rid of the ball quickly to begin with. On a third down in the fourth quarter from the Bills' own eight-yard line, Bill Belichick finally dialed up a blitz. Fitzpatrick threw it into no-man's land, forcing Buffalo to punt.Why did it take so long to bring the pressure? And why not dial it up again? It's possible the Patriots didn't want to be burned on screen plays — of course, it was a screen to Jackson that set up the game-winner. Any quarterback can make plays if he has time in the pocket, especially a guy with a lot of confidence like Fitzpatrick in a spread attack.Next week, the Patriots play the only other team in the league that has allowed only two sacks‚ the Raiders, another club that doesn't necessarily have a blue-chip offensive line. Oakland doesn't have the type of passing game the Bills do, but that doesn't mean Jason Campbell(notes) won't let rip to his speedy receivers.DEs Shaun Ellis(notes) and Andre Carter(notes) are not doing what they were brought in to do, which is pressure the quarterback. Maybe the team needs to bring Rob Ninkovich(notes) off the edge more or give Mark Anderson(notes) more snaps. Ninkovich has the versatility to play with his hand on the ground or standing up and he can get to the QB, but he needs help. The Patriots decided to target 4-3 D-ends instead of 3-4 outside linebackers in the offseason to improve the front, and that strategy hasn't made a huge impact, yet.The offense is going to keep scoring points, but the defense is dead last in total yards and against the pass through three games. Brady proved last year that he can only do so much, and there is no evidence yet this season to indicate he won't have to put the team on his back again to win crucial games this season.Follow Kevin Fishbain on Twitter
Cam Newton(notes) threw for just 158 yards Sunday, though he led the Carolina Panthers to their first victory of the season. Through three games, he had over 1,000 passing yards after back-to-back 400-yard games to start his NFL career. As it is, Newton Shonn Greene Jersey Green is on pace to shatter all manners of NFL rookie records as a quarterback – if he can keep Permier Shonn Greene Jersey up his current torrid pace.Not that long ago, starting a rookie quarterback is a novelty in the NFL. Teams were reluctant to toss in such fresh meat to be gnawed by hungry defenses. After selecting a quarterback in the first round and investing millions in him, a team typically lets the rookie sit on the bench and learn the game until such time when he's ready, often three or four years down the line. The top rookie QBs in Super Bowl era But the changing economic environment and a win-now mentality have forced more teams to thrust their rookie QBs into immediate action – in Newton's case, not even a real offseason because of the lockout. As a result, some of them have been overwhelmed and wilted under such pressure, but a few managed to keep their wits and deliver surprisingly good results.The best of the lot has to be Dan Marino, who set the gold standard for rookie quarterbacks in 1983 when Authentic Shonn Greene Jersey he wrested the starting job from David Woodley, who had just led the Dolphins to the Super Bowl the year before. Marino would start nine games, pass for over 2,000 yards and toss 20 TD passes. He proved that was no fluke the next year, when he rewrote the NFL record books with 5,000 yards passing and 48 touchdowns in a single season.Even well before Marino, there was Greg Cook, who had what must be considered a phenomenal season for a rookie quarterback in 1969. Taken fifth overall by the hometown expansion Bengals, the former University of Cincinnati quarterback led his team to a 3-0 start. Coached by quarterback guru Bill Walsh, Cook would throw for 1,854 yards with 15 TDs and 11 interceptions, recording memorable upsets of powerhouses Raiders and Chiefs. Unfortunately for Cook, he suffered a torn rotator cuff during the season that went undiagnosed and he never really played again after his rookie season.The phenomenon of starting rookie QBs became a more common occurrence in the passing game era, dating back to the mid-'90s. Starting with Peyton Manning(notes) in 1998, a Jets Shonn Greene Jersey quarterback was taken first overall in 11 of the past 14 drafts – compared to 16 QBs in the previous 62 years. With unparalleled parity, the pressure to produce immediate results is enormous. Ready or not, more and more quarterbacks are forced by their coaches to see action as rookies.To be sure, this approach has produced plenty of disasters. JaMarcus Russell(notes), Alex Smith, David Carr(notes), just to name a few. Some quarterbacks failed because their horrendous offensive lines couldn't protect them, others because they simply couldn't adapt to the faster and more physical game quickly enough.That's why stud rookie quarterbacks remain rare. See all the good ones in our top rookie quarterbacks in the Super Bowl era:The top five:5. Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons, 2008)4. Greg Cook (Cincinnati Bengals, 1969)3. Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts, 1998)2. Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers, 2004)1. Dan Marino (Miami Dolphins, 1983)• See more quarterbacks
Cam Newton(notes) threw for just 158 yards Sunday, though he led the Carolina Panthers to their first victory of the season. Through three games, he had over 1,000 passing yards after back-to-back 400-yard games to start his NFL career. As it is, Newton Shonn Greene Jersey Green is on pace to shatter all manners of NFL rookie records as a quarterback – if he can keep Permier Shonn Greene Jersey up his current torrid pace.Not that long ago, starting a rookie quarterback is a novelty in the NFL. Teams were reluctant to toss in such fresh meat to be gnawed by hungry defenses. After selecting a quarterback in the first round and investing millions in him, a team typically lets the rookie sit on the bench and learn the game until such time when he's ready, often three or four years down the line. The top rookie QBs in Super Bowl era But the changing economic environment and a win-now mentality have forced more teams to thrust their rookie QBs into immediate action – in Newton's case, not even a real offseason because of the lockout. As a result, some of them have been overwhelmed and wilted under such pressure, but a few managed to keep their wits and deliver surprisingly good results.The best of the lot has to be Dan Marino, who set the gold standard for rookie quarterbacks in 1983 when Authentic Shonn Greene Jersey he wrested the starting job from David Woodley, who had just led the Dolphins to the Super Bowl the year before. Marino would start nine games, pass for over 2,000 yards and toss 20 TD passes. He proved that was no fluke the next year, when he rewrote the NFL record books with 5,000 yards passing and 48 touchdowns in a single season.Even well before Marino, there was Greg Cook, who had what must be considered a phenomenal season for a rookie quarterback in 1969. Taken fifth overall by the hometown expansion Bengals, the former University of Cincinnati quarterback led his team to a 3-0 start. Coached by quarterback guru Bill Walsh, Cook would throw for 1,854 yards with 15 TDs and 11 interceptions, recording memorable upsets of powerhouses Raiders and Chiefs. Unfortunately for Cook, he suffered a torn rotator cuff during the season that went undiagnosed and he never really played again after his rookie season.The phenomenon of starting rookie QBs became a more common occurrence in the passing game era, dating back to the mid-'90s. Starting with Peyton Manning(notes) in 1998, a Jets Shonn Greene Jersey quarterback was taken first overall in 11 of the past 14 drafts – compared to 16 QBs in the previous 62 years. With unparalleled parity, the pressure to produce immediate results is enormous. Ready or not, more and more quarterbacks are forced by their coaches to see action as rookies.To be sure, this approach has produced plenty of disasters. JaMarcus Russell(notes), Alex Smith, David Carr(notes), just to name a few. Some quarterbacks failed because their horrendous offensive lines couldn't protect them, others because they simply couldn't adapt to the faster and more physical game quickly enough.That's why stud rookie quarterbacks remain rare. See all the good ones in our top rookie quarterbacks in the Super Bowl era:The top five:5. Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons, 2008)4. Greg Cook (Cincinnati Bengals, 1969)3. Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts, 1998)2. Ben Roethlisberger (Pittsburgh Steelers, 2004)1. Dan Marino (Miami Dolphins, 1983)• See more quarterbacks