Some Packers Fans Okay with Aaron Rodgers

Another day, another video to share with you that I found on Hot Clicks.

The video below features a song by the band The Replicates and chronicles the inspiring tale of a jilted fan base that has had to move on from the most beloved object of its affection and learn how to love someone new.

The fan base in question is the Green Bay Packers, the beloved object of its affection now gone is, of course, Brett Favre, and the man they are moving onto is none other than Scott Stapp Aaron Rogers.

It’s a pretty clever video (after the jump), although they certainly don’t think much of the Packers’ defense.  

 

Here you go:

 

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Derek Anderson To Start Sunday For Cleveland Browns

Derek Anderson replaced Brady Quinn in the second half of last weekend’s game against Baltimore, and he has replaced him moving forward as well.

Eric Mangini, as promised, announced his decision on the Browns’ starting quarterback position today. His decision: Derek Anderson will start in hopes of sparking a moribund offense that has scored one touchdown in the last…year?

Decade?

Century?

How long and how bad has it been?

Anyway, it’s possible that this is the most inconsequential QB announcement ever.

The Browns’ offensive woes run far deeper than just the QB. But at least the Browns did move the ball a little bit with D.A. in there last Sunday.

If nothing else, having Anderson in there makes Braylon Edwards a deep threat again and forces defenses to respect the Browns’ ability to stretch the field. That, if nothing else, should open up a few more holes for the running backs and make defenses play the Browns a little more honestly.

The downside, of course, is that there is now an exponential increase in the possibility of Anderson throwing the ball to the team wearing the wrong jersey.

But at least Mangini didn’t drag this out until Sunday. Now we know, Derek is starting.

The question is: will it make a difference?

We’ll see.

The only source of optimism I can find right now is this box score from 2007, which harkens us all back to a time when the Browns seemed like a team on the rise, rather than on the verge of utter collapse. Yes, there was a time when the Browns’ QB threw for five TDs in a single game.

At the rate they’re at right now, the Browns be lucky to see five TD passes all season.

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The AFC After Week Three

It’s only week three, and the NFL has already provided plenty of great moments and stories.

You have the Jets emerging as a threat with rookie QB Mark Sanchez and the Ravens rolling right along with second-year QB Joe Flacco, but you also have the duds and the disappointments.

Let’s have a look at all 16 AFC teams.

 

AFC EAST

1. New York Jets 3-0

It has been a great story for the Jets this season. Mark Sanchez has quieted the doubters and has this team on its way to a playoff spot.

But not all the credit goes to Sanchez.

The defense has played phenomenally, giving up only 11 points a game, good for second in the league. The run defense is ninth in the league, and the pass defense is fifth.

With a defense like that, and Sanchez consistently hitting Jerricho Cotchery, this Jets team could take the division title.

 

2. New England Patriots 2-1

With the return of Tom Brady, many thought the Patriots would be back to their dominant selves again, but New England has shown some vulnerability.

Sure, their record is decent enough, and their ranks in the team stats are solid, but if you look at the games they have played, New England has had some uncharacteristic trouble beating the opponent.

Case in point: week one, when they almost lost to Buffalo, a team that is struggling on offense. This has me thinking it’s the defense that is holding the Patriots back.

Both Randy Moss and Wes Welker are dealing with nagging injuries, which could hinder the Patriots if they continue to linger. The Patriots will have a winning record, but they are not the 18-1 team they were in 2007.

 

3. Buffalo Bills 1-2

This was supposed to be a bounce-back year for the optimistic Bills, but it has been the opposite.

The defense is playing terribly, T.O. has only 98 yards receiving in three games, and the team does not have a rushing TD. Buffalo is going to have to step it up both offensively and defensively if they want to have a chance in this division.

 

4. Miami Dolphins 0-3

Probably the biggest letdown in the AFC so far.

After posting an 11-5 record in 2008 the team looked rejuvenated. This year, however, they are playing like the 1-15 team they were in 2007. 

Now that Chad Pennington is out for the rest of the year, the team has picked up former Chiefs QB Tyler Thigpen. Will Thigpen be the answer? I don’t see it happening.

Miami has dug itself in a huge hole in arguably the best division in the AFC. It will be a long season for the Dolphins and their fans.

 

AFC NORTH

1. Baltimore Ravens 3-0

This team is proving that last year wasn’t a fluke.

Joe Flacco is the real deal. He has driven this offense rather than just managing the game, something that makes me think this team could win the Super Bowl this year.

The defense is still the same dominant force, but now the Ravens don’t have to solely rely on their defense to make the big plays. Flacco has developed a solid rapport with veteran Derrick Mason, and if Flacco can continuously find Mason, watch out.

 

2. Cincinnati Bengals 2-1

Kind of a surprise to me that this team has a 2-1 record, but Cincinnati has a knack for laying low and surprising you.

Carson Palmer isn’t having a spectacular year, but he is healthy, and that’s really what the team needs. Cedric Benson has been a sleeper this year, and Chad Ochocinco is back to playing well.

The schedule has them playing some tough teams, but if everything continues we could see Cincy in the playoffs.

 

3. Pittsburgh Steelers 1-2

Pittsburgh probably didn’t see themselves being 1-2 after week three and in third place, but that’s the way it has gone for the previous Super Bowl champs.

Their current 1-2 record is deceiving and should improve with their next three games coming against San Diego, Detroit, and Cleveland. I don’t see the Steelers failing to recover and not making the playoffs.

Big Ben Roethlisberger is looking sharp, and Willie Parker has finally found his footing in the running game. Look for the Steelers to win three weeks straight and get back on track.

 

4. Cleveland Browns 0-3

I don’t mean to diss on the Browns, but there are so many problems with this team right now, most noticeably the QB problem. Neither Brady Quinn nor Derek Anderson has shown himself to be the answer, but you can’t just blame them.

The Browns’ O-line is nonexistent, the WRs seem like they are not even on the field, and the defense is just awful. All of this makes the Browns the worst team in the NFL as of week three. This looks to be another disappointing year for the Browns.

 

AFC SOUTH

1. Indianapolis Colts 3-0

The Colts find themselves at the top of the division. Not much of a surprise there.

Peyton Manning really runs this team, something that he has been doing for years. The Colts are a dominant force in the league, and I like their chances of making it deep into the playoffs.

The rout of the Cardinals Monday night was a sign that the Colts are finally hitting their marks. Watch out NFL.

 

2. Jacksonville Jaguars 1-2

Jacksonville is a perfect example of a mediocre team that just needs some more talent to become a good-to-great team. They are once again showing signs of being a .500 team, but I think it’s possible for the Jaguars to be a 9-7 team. 10-6 would be pushing it a little.

Just a little more talent and this team could make a name for itself.

 

3. Houston Texans 1-2

Houston is a great example of an up-and-coming team.

With the duo of Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson, Houston can be dominating on offense. What’s killing them is their running game and their defense. Steve Slaton has yet to find his footing, and the defense is in the bottom four in three out of the four primary defensive stats.

Like Jacksonville, Houston is a team that just needs a little more talent. They have the offensive weapons, but they desperately need the defensive weapons.

 

4. Tennessee Titans 0-3

The biggest shocker in the NFL is that the Titans are 0-3. I didn’t expect them to post better numbers than last year, but I never expected to see them in last place and 0-3.

They are in a desperate place right now.

The Titans’ pass defense is ranked 29th, which could be the source of the problems. They are giving up 23 points a game, a little too high if this team wants to succeed.

They better find a cure fast before they dig themselves too deep into a hole.

 

AFC WEST

1. Denver Broncos 3-0

Denver has found its way back to the top of their division even after losing their star QB and having to deal with Brandon Marshall’s antics. Yet the Broncos have overcome those offseason problems.

The only problem the Broncos have is trying to sustain their current lead. Last year they blew their division lead, and I hope they are trying something different so that it does not happen again.

Kyle Orton is doing what he does best: winning football games. As long as they keep playing consistently and don’t suffer any major injuries, the Broncos could easily win the AFC West title.

 

2. San Diego Chargers 2-1

San Diego has a great QB in Philip Rivers, but LT has yet to come back to his old ways.

LT is on the “DL” right now, and the Chargers have yet to find a good replacement for him, which has led to the Chargers being second to last in rushing yards. Their inability to run the ball has been the main cause of the Chargers not making it deep into the playoffs the past couple of years.

The defense remains steady, but far from great.

The Chargers need their running game back, or there is little hope for this team to make the playoffs.

 

3. Oakland Raiders 1-2

The Raiders do have a win, but don’t expect many more.

This team couldn’t score if the players’ lives depended on it. JaMarcus Russell seems like another first pick bust. Darrius Heyward-Bey has only one catch this year. These players just prove that the Raiders draft the worst possible guys.

Something is wrong with this organization. It needs to be revamped, and it needs to be done now.

 

4. Kansas City Chiefs 0-3

I wanted to believe in this team, and I wanted them to succeed, but all they have shown is that they are still way behind.

They made the worst move in trading Tony Gonzalez, who is the greatest TE to ever play. He was also their entire offense. Once he left, so did the offense.

Dwayne Bowe is showing promise, and Matt Cassel…well…we will just have to wait and see. Their O-line is just terrible, so it’s no wonder Cassel can’t score. The defense is always on top of him.  

The Chiefs were hoping to compete this year, but that’s not going to be possible this year. All I can say is wait ’til next year.

 

Stay tuned for the follow-up article about the NFC.

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Fantasy Football Week 4 Waiver Wire Steals: Glen Coffee

For those of you who followed PFI last week and our Week Three Fantasy Football Sleepers and Waiver Wire Steals, you capitalized on a touchdown from Johnny Knox, an explosive game from Tashard Choice, and one of Jason Campbell’s biggest fantasy outputs of his career.

My fantasy owners who wrote in were guided in starting Kevin Kolb and up-to-then bust Santana Moss. Both had great fantasy weeks.

But enough tooting my own horn, onto this week’s closet fantasy studs, starting with the guy who is taking the place of Frank Gore in San Francisco.

 

1. Glen Coffee – RB – S.F. 49ers.

With the loss of Frank Gore for three weeks, Glen Coffee will reap the benefits of Gore’s absence iby eating up his carries.  One of Gore’s weeks out will be absorbed by the 49ers’ bye week, but the other two are favorable matchups for Coffee.

First Coffee will face the St. Louis Rams, followed by the Atlanta Falcons.   Both are prone to giving up yards on the ground in bundles.   The 49ers’ offensive scheme will not change with Gore out, so if Glen Coffee is there and you need a running back, he’s the man.

For the rest of ProFootballinsight’s Week 4 NFL Football Sleepers and Waiver Wire Steals, click this link.

As always, ask and you shall receive: post your questions to this article and I will respond.  Submit your Week Five questions via email by Tuesday afternoon and have your questions answered as ProFootballinsight goes “Head to Head” with MidwestSportsFans in their Fantasy Podcast release beginning next week.

Kurt Fraschetti / ProFootballinsight
MidwestSportsFans.com Senior Fantasy Football Writer
Kurt@ProFootballinsight.net

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NFL Fantasy Football Week Four Sleepers and Bye Week Fill-Ins

We have now had three weeks of the 2009 fantasy football season and everyone should have a decent idea of what kind of team they have.

I’m in six leagues and am at least 2-1 in five of them, so I’m feeling pretty good.

But the equations change a little bit this week as the bye week rotations begin.

This week, Arizona, Carolina, Philadelphia, and Atlanta are all on byes. This means that teams with the likes of Larry Fitzgerald, DeAngelo Williams, Desean Jackson, and Tony Gonzalez, among many others, have to find productive fill-ins to continue competing in week four.

And that’s what we’re going to look at this morning.

So far, my start em, sit em picks have worked out a lot better than my sleeper picks on a weekly basis (Byron Leftwich last week, ’nuff said).

In reality, though, weeks one through three are really like the preseason when it comes to waiver wire trolling in the 50 percent-or-less category.

Most teams, if they drafted at least semi-competently, should not have been digging too far down the wire to plug any holes yet.

It’s a different ballgame now, with each team needing to find bye week replacements. This morning, I will attempt to identify players at each primary fantasy position (no kickers…not now, not ever) who have favorable match-ups in week four and could do some damage.

Here we go!

 

Week Four Sleepers & Bye Week Fill-Ins: Quarterback

Kyle Orton, Denver Broncos (vs. Dallas, 45 percent owned)

Where’s the love for Kyle Orton? He has thrown three TD passes in three games this season and has yet to throw a pick.

The Cowboys come into town this weekend and are suspect against the pass (don’t let a strong performance against a fading Jake Delhomme fool you). With Brandon Marshall getting his act together again, Orton’s numbers should be solid this week.

 

Mark Sanchez, New York Jets (at New Orleans, 43 percent owned)

Sanchez appears to be going down the road of rookie QB respectability traveled last year by Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco. He has four TDs and only two INTs through three games.

This week, the Jets travel to New Orleans to face a high octane offense and a defense that gives up a lot of passing yards. The Jets’ D will slow down New Orleans, but won’t totally stop them, meaning Sanchez will need to lead his team to more points than usual to win.

Opportunities should be there for Sanchez to hit the 250-275 yard mark and potentially a couple touchdowns.

 

Jason Campbell, Washington Redskins (vs. Tampa Bay, 34 percent owned)

Campbell had a very nice game last week against Detroit, which got lost in all the hubbub over the Lions breaking their losing streak.

He will have more opportunities to hit Santana Moss this week with Tampa Bay and their pathetic pass defense coming to town. Don’t be afraid to start Campbell this week. He could have very good numbers again.

 

Week Four Sleepers and Bye Week Fill-Ins: Running Back

Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins (vs. Buffalo, 42 percent)

Ricky has had a pretty strong start to the season in 2009, amassing 163 yards with a 4.8 yard per carry average and a TD through three games. He’s also caught seven passes and scored a TD on one of them.

Chad Pennington is now out, meaning the Dolphins are relying on unproven Chad Henne. Buffalo is 18th against the run this year and is allowing 4.4 yards per carry while also yielding four rushing touchdowns.

I smell a solid day at home for the Dolphins, who will be in desperation mode trying to salvage their season.

 

Glen Coffee, San Francisco 49ers (vs. St. Louis, 32 percent)

How in the hell is this guy only owned in 32 percent of leagues? Coffee had a great preseason and has a great matchup this week against St. Louis.

Regardless of who is in the backfield, Mike Singletary is committed to pounding the rock, meaning Coffee should be among the league leaders in touches this week.

Yes, he struggled last week, but that was against one of the league’s best run defenses. Don’t be fooled, he’s in store for a good day Sunday.

 

Tashard Choice, Dallas Cowboys (at Denver, 24 percent)

Here’s another guy whose percent owned number I don’t really understand. Not only is Tashard Choice a vastly underrated all-around running back, but when you watch this video you will see that he is also a terrific team-first leader and the kind of guy you want to root for.

Most importantly, for our purposes here this morning and on Sunday, Choice should continue to get touches with Felix Jones out this week and Marion Barber probably not at 100 percent. Denver is very good against the pass, but a little suspect against the run. The Cowboys will lean on the run game and Choice will be a major part of it.

Others to consider: Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants (at Kansas City, 47 percent); Chester Taylor, Vikings (vs. Green Bay, 33 percent—only in PPR leagues); Jerome Harrison, Browns (vs. Cincinnati, six percent).

 

Week Four Sleepers and Bye Week Fill-Ins: Wide Receiver

Justin Gage, Tennessee Titans (at Jacksonville, 48 percent)

Gage has been up and down this season, but has a terrific matchup on Sunday. The Jags are allowing a league-worst 281.7 passing yards per game and have given up six scores through the air.

Granted, they’ve played Houston and Arizona, so those numbers are a bit skewed, but the Titans will have opportunities to make plays in the passing game. Gage caught six touchdowns last year and could be in line for his second of the year this Sunday.

 

Mike Sims-Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Tennessee, 40 percent)

Two straight weeks of solid production for Mike Sims-Walker make him a prime sleeper pick against a defense that is giving up a lot through the air. The Titans are allowing 274.7 passing yards per game and have given up seven passing TDs.

Walker has at least six catches and 80 yards in each of the last two weeks, plus he’s caught a TD. He is quickly becoming David Garrard’s most consistent target and should be a solid player you can count on moving forward, and not just this week.

 

Earl Bennett, Chicago Bears (vs. Detroit, 27 percent)

Earl Bennett is tied for the Bears’ team lead in receptions with 13. He and Jay Cutler go all the way back to Vanderbilt and their rapport is obvious.

Last week, Bennett caught four passes and averaged 20 yards per reception. He has yet to find the end zone, but should have a great chance to do so this weekend against a terrible Lions’ secondary. Detroit has already yielded 10 passing touchdowns this season.

Others to consider: Pierre Garcon, Colts (vs. Seattle, 40 percent); Nate Washington, Titans (at Jacksonville, 26 percent); Davone Bess, Dolphins (vs. Buffalo, eight percent—PPR league especially); Kelley Washington, Ravens (at New England, five percent); Mike Wallace, Steelers (vs. San Diego, three percent)

 

Week Four Sleepers and Bye Week Fill-Ins: Tight End

Finally, America has wised up and Vernon Davis is now owned in more than 50 percent of leagues. All it took was one two-TD game…I guess that makes sense. However, there are now very few options in the under 50 percent category at TE.

 

Anthony Fasano, Miami Dolphins (vs Buffalo, 29 percent)

I know, I know, the guy’s been terrible and I may regret recommending him, but that said, there are reasons to like Fasano.

With a new, inexperienced QB playing, I would assume Fasano will get some targets. He’s only caught three balls all year, but he’s had opportunities to make plays. At some point, I think he starts to make those plays.

Fasano caught seven TDs last year, and I would not be surprised to see his first one of 2009 come Sunday at home against the Bills.

Other than Fasano, who I do believe still has some upside, all of the other under 50 percent tight ends are pretty much the same.

 

Week Four Sleepers and Bye Week Fill-Ins: Defense / Special Teams

Washington Redskins D/ST (vs. Tampa Bay, 29 percent)

The Redskins have been disappointing this season and are without Albert Haynesworth this week, but they face a punch-less Tampa Bay offense that is turning the reins over to unproven youngster Josh Johnson.

DeAngelo Hall and Fred Smoot have to be licking their chops. Tampa Bay will most likely try to control this game on the ground, but I don’t think they are capable of scoring many points.

 

San Francisco 49ers D/ST (vs. St. Louis, 29 percent)

The 49ers have a much improved defense and face a Rams team that has Kyle Boller starting at QB and no difference makers on the outside.

If the 49ers can contain Steven Jackson, they can contain the Rams on offense.

San Francisco’s conservative style on offense will also keep this game from getting into anything resembling a shootout.

This should be a low-scoring, solid afternoon for the 49ers.

 

Cincinnati Bengals D/ST (at Cleveland, 21 percent)

I talked about the Bengals’ D in this week’s start em, sit em, but they merit another mention here because they are only owned in 21 percent of leagues.

Folks, if you haven’t watched Cleveland on offense this year, there is almost no way to describe how bad they’ve been.

If Brady Quinn plays QB, the Browns won’t be able to score. If Derek Anderson plays QB, the Browns will score some points, but Cincinnati will rack up the sacks and INTs.

Either way, you want Cincy’s D, which has been very productive in its own right this season, already notching 10 sacks and a defensive touchdown.

 

Follow the link to my Week Four start em, sit em column for more fantasy football week four info.

As always, use the comment section below to pose your questions, which I will answer as quickly as I’m able, and then get signed up at Explodium to join the MSF community. We are still developing the details, but it will be pretty cool and there are plenty of options for you to take advantage of with your own profile.

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Felix Jones Injury Update: Knee Strain, Week 4 Status Uncertain

As anyone who has followed my fantasy football predictions knows, I have been high on Cowboys’ RB Felix Jones ever since the offseason. 

And proving that I don’t just talk the talk, but also walk the walk, Jones is the only player I have in each of the six leagues I am in this year.

While Jones’ production has been hampered by the fact that he is part of an amazing three-man backfield in Dallas — where there simply aren’t enough touches to go around — he has still been explosive enough in limited touches to provide solid flex value through three games.

However, one of the main knocks on Jones coming into the season has been his inability to stay healthy, and that could hinder his value moving forward.

According to Ed Werder of ESPN Dallas, Jones was injured last night during the Cowboys’ victory over the Carolina Panthers on Monday Night Football. The latest injury update on Felix Jones is that he has a knee strain, but that it could turn into something serious.

 

Werder cites Jerry Jones as saying he is “concerned about the severity” of the injury. Felix was reportedly unable to loosen his left knee after the injury occurred last night. He will have an MRI today to assess the severity of the injury.

I, of course, will keep a close on this one, considering Jones’ value to me in each of my leagues. I’ll update this post when more information is available.

For the season, Felix Jones is averaging a ridiculous 10.1 yards per carry on 21 carries to go along with one rushing TD. He also has one reception for 20 yards. During his short career, Jones has a 9.4 yard per carry average on 51 carries. Ridiculous.

Hopefully he can get back on the field soon.

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Browns Lose Big, Mangini Loses Team?

Is it too late to give the Browns’ name, its colors, and history back to Baltimore?

When Art Modell sold the city of Cleveland down the river and moved the Browns to Baltimore, Clevelanders clamoured to keep the Browns’ name and create a new Browns out of…well, what would become a bunch of misfits led by poor schlep Chris Palmer in 1999.

After Sunday’s 34-3 humiliating annihilation at the hands of the former Browns, it is time to consider the 2009 Browns the latest group of misfits, and call the total new Browns a failed experiment.

But where to go from here?

 

Open letter to Browns owner Randy Lerner:

“As a successful billionaire businessman, you must know the hiring of Eric Mangini is a mistake. The man is incapable of teaching, coaching, drafting or motivating the players on the Browns, the team that your father, Al Lerner, willed you on his deathbed. Al must be screaming obscenities from his grave.

“If a manager you appointed in your business failed to deliver on his promises, you would fire him — or at the very least — relocate him.

“Mangini believes he is a football god with all the answers. He is incapable of self-criticism — and those kind of individuals do not change or grow.

FIRE MANGINI TODAY. Take the hit to your wallet and find a better coach.

Sincerely,

Cleveland Browns fans from across the world”

The Cleveland Browns not only lost big to the Baltimore Ravens, but lost its team; and perhaps worse, demoralized so-called starting quarterback Brady Quinn and killed the confidence of Derek Anderson who was told right before the second half kick-off he was going in to face the Raven D.

Derek being Derek, his big gun drove the team down the field to a field goal, but his gun also misfired for three interceptions and a QB rating of 30.9. Quinn’s was 42.7. Baltimore’s Joe Flacco’s QB rating was about 110.

Perhaps Terry Pluto, The Plain Dealer columnist said it best: “Until further notice, the Cleveland Browns have become the franchise where quarterbacks go to see their careers die.”

Quinn, who led the Notre Dame offense in college and put up 30 and 29 point respectively against Denver and Buffalo last year, suddenly can’t move the ball?

To quote a frustrated Buffalo Bill Terrell Owens after Sunday’s game, he runs “the plays that are called.”

The lame, vanilla plays called by rookie offensive coordinator Brian Dabold depend on a running back that equals the resurrection of a young Jim Brown. Two running plays up the middle with puny Jerome Harrison and a weak offensive line? Then it is third and seven and Braylon Edwards is not free, everyone else is covered or not looking — so what does a QB do? Either check down and complete a three yard pass (Quinn) or force the throw and wind up with three interceptions (Anderson).

The pathetic thing is, the Browns could have had better players like Cincy’s Rey Maualuga or Clay Mathews Jr. or Knowshon Moreno. And if Mangini was so unimpressed with his QBs, Mark Sanchez was there for the taking.

But Noooo! Let’s get a few Jets retreads instead.

Good draft picks were made in the second round with Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie. But Massaquoi has been a ghost on the field, barely there for one play, then *poof*…disappearing into the Browns bench. And Ohio State stand-out wide receiver Robiskie has not been allowed to dress. (Did Robiskie maybe voice his opinion to Coach or fail to bow with deference? Only the shadow knows.)

And now we hear that up to five Browns players are filing grievances against Mangini, at least two for being charged $1,700 for forgetting to pay for $3 bottles of water from a hotel.

Other players have quit on the field. When Baltimore gets three running touchdowns without any Cleveland defensive player even touching him … can they be this bad? Or have they given up?

You decide, midwestsportsfans.com readers.

**********

*- Derek Anderson photo credit: SI

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Dwight Freeney Injury Update: Status Uncertain After Injuring Right Quad

Two weeks in a row I have idiotically picked against the Indianapolis Colts. And two weeks in a row the Colts have made me look like an idiot.

After dismantling Miami in the Dolphins’ home opener last Monday night—despite having the ball on offense for less than 15 minutes—the Colts took the Arizona Cardinals to the woodshed last night on Sunday Night Football, winning 31-10.

The win could come with a price, however, if Dwight Freeney’s right quadriceps injury turns out to be serious.

The latest injury update on Dwight Freeney is that he “heard something pop” and is awaiting the results of an MRI.

None of the reports about Freeney’s injury seem particularly positive or negative, so Colts fans will just have to wait until later today or tomorrow to see how their dominating rush end is doing.

Freeney has four sacks on the season and has led the Colts’ defense to three pretty solid performances with strong safety Bob Sanders out of the lineup.

I’ll update this post as soon as I hear anything further.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Dwight Freeney Injury Update: Status Uncertain After Injuring Right Quad

Two weeks in a row I have idiotically picked against the Indianapolis Colts. And two weeks in a row the Colts have made me look like an idiot.

After dismantling Miami in the Dolphins’ home opener last Monday night—despite having the ball on offense for less than 15 minutes—the Colts took the Arizona Cardinals to the woodshed last night on Sunday Night Football, winning 31-10.

The win could come with a price, however, if Dwight Freeney’s right quadriceps injury turns out to be serious.

The latest injury update on Dwight Freeney is that he “heard something pop” and is awaiting the results of an MRI.

None of the reports about Freeney’s injury seem particularly positive or negative, so Colts fans will just have to wait until later today or tomorrow to see how their dominating rush end is doing.

Freeney has four sacks on the season and has led the Colts’ defense to three pretty solid performances with strong safety Bob Sanders out of the lineup.

I’ll update this post as soon as I hear anything further.

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Frank Gore Injury Update: High Ankle Sprain, Could Miss Two Weeks

I am neither a 49ers fan, nor particularly a fan of the University of Miami. But I have always been a big Frank Gore fan.

He has a great backstory, which I’ll get to a minute, and is the kind of athlete that you root for regardless of whether he’s on your team or not.

But right now, the big news about Frank Gore is that he is injured…again…and his fantasy owners will have to make alternate plans for the next couple of weeks.

 

Gore entered yesterday’s game against the Vikings already nursing a tender ankle. He attempted to play on it, ran the ball once, and had to limp off the field.

He would not return.

The latest injury update on Frank Gore is that he is suffering from a high ankle sprain and will most likely miss the next two weeks.

San Francisco has St. Louis and Atlanta on the schedule in Weeks 4 and 5. The 49ers have a bye in Week 6, at which point the 49ers hope to have their backfield stalwart back in the lineup.

In the meantime, Gore owners should gobble up Glen Coffee. The rookie out of Alabama made quite a splash in the pre-season and was an early darling of many fantasy prognosticators.

Don’t be turned off by his 25 carry, 54 yard performance this past Sunday in relief of Gore. San Fran was facing Minnesota’s vaunted run defense, against which even the best running backs look pedestrian.

Coffee should find the going much easier against St. Louis and Atlanta, the latter of which gave up over 100 yards and a score to the ancient Fred Taylor this past weekend.

But back to Gore. 

Many people do not realize that had he not suffered two terrible knee injuries in college, America might never have been introduced to Willis McGahee. Gore was ahead of McGahee on the depth chart at The U, but never really got a chance to prove his worth at Miami.

In his senior season at Coral Gables High in Miami, where they play some damn good high school football, Gore rushed for—get this—2,900 yards and 11 TDs during his senior season. He was slated to start for the ‘Canes before knee injuries ruined his college career.

This article by Manny Navarro does a great job of telling Gore’s story.  Here is an excerpt:

I couldn’t be happier for him. The truth is, aside from football, Gore has never really had much going for him. At Gables, he was classified with a learning disorder.

With his mother sick and the rest of his family dirt poor, he was basically their only hope of having a better life. When he went down with those two major knee injuries, I thought he was headed toward a sad story.

I didn’t think he’d be the same running back he was once appeared he was headed toward becoming at Gables. But now, he is the Frank of old again. And not only is his mother benefiting, so are his two children.

Let’s hope Gore’s ankle injury does not linger and that he’s back leading the 49ers’ offense soon.  There is no team in the NFL, other than my Browns (ugh) and Dolphins (ugh), that I am rooting for more than the 49ers this season.

From scrappy QB Shaun Hill to inspirational coach Mike Singletary to Gore, the 49ers have a lot of guys to root for. Their 2-1 start has been one of the best stories of this young 2009 season.

I’ll update this post when I hear any further injury updates on Gore.

**********

* – Frank Gore photo credit: Michael Maloney of the San Francisco Chronicle via SFGate.info

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