OAK - WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh signs
Source: Twitter
The Oakland Raiders signed free-agent WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Ravens) to an undisclosed deal Tuesday, Nov. 1.
Housh is reunited with Carson Palmer in Oakland now. That should help the transition for both players as they adjust to their new offense with the Raiders.
TB - RB LeGarrette Blount will be primary back
Source: St. Petersburg Times - Rick Stroud
Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB LeGarrette Blount (knee), who will return to game action in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints, will be the team's primary back and will even stay on the field for third downs with RB Earnest Graham (Achilles') out for the year. 'Oh yeah, I know I'm going to play third downs in this game,' Blount said. 'I'm probably not going to play all of them, but I know I'm going to play quite a few of them.' Blount said he is fully recovered from his knee injury.
We'll see if Blount looks like his old self this week against the Saints. If he needs a breather or isn't quite the same then we'll see some carries get split between Kregg Lumpkin and Mossis Madu.
ARI - QB John Skelton could start in Week 9
Source: The Associated Press
Arizona Cardinals QB John Skelton could start in Week 9 if QB Kevin Kolb (toe) is unable to play. At this point, Kolb said he has 'no idea' if he will play. Kolb had his right foot in a walking boot Monday, Oct. 31, to protect a turf toe injury. Kolb said he has had the injury before but not 'near this severe.'
The turf toe injury Kolb suffered is not considered serious. This type of injury is known to linger, regardless of severity, so expect the Cardinals to monitor Kolb closely during the week. We could see Skelton get most of the first-team reps while Kolb is on the mend.
OAK - QB Carson Palmer looks sharp in practice
Source: ANG Newspapers - Steve Corkran
Oakland Raiders head coach Hue Jackson said QB Carson Palmer looked really sharp in practice Monday, Oct. 31, and did some really good things.
Palmer wasn't ready to play against the Chiefs and it showed. He should look much improved against a weak Broncos defense in week 9.
GB - TE Jermichael Finley would accept franchise tag
Source: Green Bay Press-Gazette - Rob Demovsky
Green Bay Packers TE Jermichael Finley said he wants to re-sign with the team for next season. Finley added he would even accept the franchise tag if both sides can't reach an agreement. 'I want to stay here, no doubt,' Finley said. 'This is a town, this is a team, (an) organization, you couldn’t ask for more. If they came to a conclusion (on a contract), I would look into it. I want to be a Packer for life, for sure. Hands down, I think this is the best organization for me.'
It will be interesting to see what the Packers do with Finley this offseason. They selected D.J. Williams in the fifth-round of the 2011 NFL Draft and he could be used as a replacement to Finley if the two sides can't work out a new contract agreement.
SD - Curtis Brinkley being evaluated for concussion
Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Kevin Acee
Updating a previous report, San Diego Chargers RB Curtis Brinkley (concussion) is being evaluated for a possible concussion suffered in the Week 8 overtime loss against the Kansas City Chiefs Monday, Oct. 31.
Brinkley was looking real good against the Chiefs before he was concussed. With all the injuries to the RB position the team could add Jordan Todman back to the active roster.
CLE - RB Thomas Clayton signs
Source: The Sports Network
The Cleveland Browns signed free-agent RB Thomas Clayton (Seahawks) to an undisclosed deal Tuesday, Nov. 1, with RBs Montario Hardesty (calf) and Peyton Hillis (hamstring) sidelined. In a corresponding move, the team waived WR Brian Robiskie.
Clayton is a powerful runner who gets up to top speed in a hurry. Until Hillis returns we'll see Chris Ogbonnaya (aka Silent G) split time with Clayton.
ATL - Julio Jones received treatment during bye
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - D. Orlando Ledbetter
Atlanta Falcons WR Julio Jones (hamstring) received treatment from the training staff during the team's bye week and was able to return to practice on a limited basis Monday, Oct. 31. He could play in Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts. Jones studied defenses during his down time, which he helps will provide a boost for him in his return.
Jones was a WR2 verging on WR1 status in PPR leagues when he got hurt. He's a terrific play this week vs. the Colts small corners as long as he goes.
NYG - RB Brandon Jacobs changes tune
Source: ESPNNewYork.com - Ian Begley
New York Giants RB Brandon Jacobs said he will change the way he has been playing for the rest of the regular season after he was booed in the team's Week 8 victory. 'You're going to see a change, man. You're going to see a change,' Jacobs said. He also said that he wants to play for another three years in the NFL. Jacobs finished with just 10 yards on four carries and one catch.
As teams prepare for the playoffs we'll see a focus on running the football in the final weeks of the season. This is great news for fantasy owners holding onto Jacobs. The Giants could begin to use him more as their hammer, and cut into the touches of Ahmad Bradshaw. Owners in TD heavy leagues should be holding Jacobs to see how this situation unfolds.
CIN - A.J. Green receives criticism
Source: NFL.com - Marc Sessler
Seattle Seahawks CB Richard Sherman, who covered Cincinnati Bengals WR A.J. Green in Week 8, said Green is arguably one of the league's most overrated receivers. 'I would say he's probably one of the most overrated receivers out there,' Sherman said. 'He wasn't anything special. (Andy) Dalton was a good quarterback. He makes good decisions, but A.J. Green is just a lot of noise talking and bad routes.'
A.J. Green has a phenomenal natural skill set but does need to become more of a refined route runner if he's ever going to play up to his potential. However, just because he's raw doesn't mean he's overrated.
PHI - QB Michael Vick improving on reads, blitz
Source: DelawareOnline.com - Geoff Mosher
Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick drew praise from coaches and teammates for picking apart the Dallas Cowboys’ multiple blitz schemes and moving the ball through intermediate passes, instead of forcing the deep ball in the team's Week 8 game. Vick’s longest passes went for 24 yards and none of his throws traveled more than 30 yards in the air. Vick also took command of the huddle, using his audible authority – which he didn’t have last season – to change plays at the line of scrimmage. 'Well really, two of the touchdowns were plays that he either changed the play or got rid of one, where we had two of them called in the huddle and you could switch them over to the other,' head coach Andy Reid said. 'I thought he played a fine football game. The little things like you’re talking about here – switching either protections or switching from play to play – I think he’s becoming very comfortable.'
Another thing helping out Vick is the commitment to the ground game the Eagles are showing. It allows the team to play action pass better and gets the team better looks in coverage.
DAL - WR Dez Bryant struggles with his routes
Source: The Dallas Morning News
Dallas Cowboys WR Dez Bryant has yet to learn how to run proper routes in the NFL, and as a result the Cowboys' offense has been somewhat predictable. Until Bryant develops some discipline in his route running, QB Tony Romo isn't going to trust him. Bryant also needs to figure out how to beat press coverage by a defensive back. Philadelphia Eagles CB Nnamdi Asomugha had his way with Bryant in Week 8.
Bryant has incredible physical talent, but he needs polish. He could be one of the best in the game if he plays up to his potential but he needs a more professional attitude.
SD - QB Philip Rivers leads NFL in giveaways
Source: ESPN.com
San Diego Chargers QB Philip Rivers leads the NFL in giveaways this season with 14. Rivers had three turnovers in Week 8.
Rivers says he's okay, but every time we watch him play it looks like he's hurt. The ball is not coming out of his hand cleanly and he's struggling.
SF - RB Frank Gore joins elite company
Source: CSNBayArea.com - Matt Maiocco
San Francisco 49ers RB Frank Gore joined former Denver Broncos RB Terrell Davis, former Kansas City Chiefs RB Larry Johnson and former Buffalo Bills RB O.J. Simpson as the only players since 1970 to rush for at least 125 yards with a touchdown in four consecutive games. Johnson and Simpson actually accomplished the feat in five straight.
Gore looked like he might have lost something early in the season, but he clearly found it and he is back to being an elite fantasy RB.
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