NFL News & Notes 9/20/12
-In honor of the late Steve Sabol, Adam Kaplan and Greg Cosell broke down film on Larry Fitzgerald in anticipation of the Eagles’ visit to Arizona in a battle of the unbeatens. They take a look from the overhead, all-22 angle that gives viewers a look at what coaches and players see when they break down film. It’s definitely a must watch, even if it is from last year.
-Out of a job and looking for a 3-4 defense to join, Shawne Merriman worked out for the 49ers on Wednesday. He would provide depth for a team running a tad thin on outside linebackers.
-To fuel the Tim Tebow lovers out there: Jets QB Mark Sanchez posted his fifth career game where he completed less than 40 percent of his passes, the most of any QB since 2009. Second on that list, says Rich Cimini? JaMarcus Russell. He did do that without Dustin Keller and against the Pittsburgh defense, so there’s reason to believe he’ll bounce back on Sunday against Miami. Santonio Holmes is confident that the Jets’ speed at wide receiver will exploit the Dolphins secondary. Miami is currently ranked 30th, last in the AFC, in pass defense at this early stage of the season.
-How did Vince Young blow through over $25 million that he made with the Titans? Outkick The Coverage reveals that Young used to spent $5,000 a week at the Cheesecake Factory and once bought 120 seats on a Southwest Airlines flight. He also used to take $600 shots after each home game.
-As much as the NFL is doing to prevent concussions and head injuries, Raiders LB Rolando McClain played an entire game with a concussion on Sunday against the Dolphins, the Bay Area News Group reports. ”It was something we thought might have been the case after the game,” Oakland Coach Dennis Allen said. “But it didn’t seem like it was a major one.” It didn’t seem like a major one? That answer is exactly why the NFL is being sued by so many former players who have suffered greatly after their playing careers. The league still needs to do a better job to ensure player safety and change the dangerous, macho culture that is still pervasive throughout the league.
-Why are the Saints losing? Why is the New Orleans passing game not as potent as it’s been in previous years? Robert Meachem left to San Diego, Devery Henderson has been hurt and now reports have come out that Marques Colston has been playing with a foot injury. As good as the Saints are, it’s difficult to come back from an 0-3 start. Lucky for them, the Chiefs come to town on Sunday.
-Browns new owner Jimmy Haslam is considering the possibility of adding a retractable roof to Cleveland Browns Stadium so the venue could be used more often, which is a great idea if taxpayers don’t have to pay the bill. Citizens of East Rutherford, Cincinnati, Miami and other cities across the country will be paying off stadia for decades and the people of Cleveland should not suffer the same fate. Don’t they suffer enough already?
-And saving the best for last, this profile of Giants tight end Martellus Bennett could be the best thing I’ve read all week. Sam Borden of the New York Times did a tremendous job and I promise you’ll enjoy it.
