Rookie quarterback Josh Freeman wiped the sweat off his forehead, took a deep breath and answered another question about taking over the offense of the only team yet to win a game in the NFL. Ready or not, the 17th pick in this year's draft will make his first start for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, facing the Green Bay Packers (4-3) on a day the Bucs (0-7) will reflect on the past while…
There's no truth to the notion Jay Cutler will turn green with envy, if not Cardinals red, at the sight of the receivers on the other side when the Chicago Bears host Arizona on Sunday. No offense to Larry Fitzgerald or Anquan Boldin, he likes what he has. "I think we're fine in that area," Cutler said.
In the interest of better overall execution and of keeping quarterback Jay Cutler upright and in one piece for the remainder of the season, the Bears’ offense might be more basic Sunday against the Cardinals at Soldier Field in a battle of 4-3 teams.
Asked about the execution of the Bears’ offense shortly after Sunday’s sloppy victory over the Browns, frustrated coordinator Ron Turner seemed on the verge of borrowing a line from former Bucs coach John McKay, and saying, “I’m in favor of it.”
But instead, Turner hinted that it might be time to focus on running fewer plays with better precision, as opposed to more plays with shoddy execution.
The offensive shortcomings were most noticeable in two areas.
The Lions need to get one offensive weapon back. They need to get another one in gear.
Wide receiver Calvin Johnson has missed two games with a right knee injury. He was able to practice this week, however, and coach Jim Schwartz said on Friday that Johnson will be listed as questionable to play Sunday at Seattle.
Johnson sounded somewhat optimistic midweek that he would be able to return against the Seahawks.
“We’re going to just be careful, do what I can do,” Johnson said. “As long as I don’t have any setbacks, I think it’ll look brighter for Sunday.”
Johnson said he felt no pressure to return because of the Lions’ struggles on offense without him. But the Lions need him back not only because of the plays he makes, but because of how he opens up the offense…
As bizarre and incendiary as it was, Brett Favre’s victorious return to Green Bay in a Minnesota Vikings uniform Sunday was telling of the Packers’ lot in the league right now.
Favre’s last game at Lambeau Field before last weekend came on Jan. 20, 2008. His last pass as the quarterback of the Packers for 16 years was an interception, which led to the decisive field goal by the New York Giants in a 23-20 overtime win in the 2007 NFC Championship.
That stunning setback—and the soap opera that played out several months later culminating with Favre’s ouster from Green Bay—can be looked at as the start of a troubling trend for the Packers, who were a formidable 13-3 in 2007.
Green Bay has fallen from the ranks of the elite because it can’t beat the elite…
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and receiver Donald Driver practiced Friday and are probable for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay. Rodgers suffered a sprained toe in last Sunday's 38-26 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and has been coping with a sprain in his other foot the past few weeks.
NEW YORK – Green Bay Packers Johnny Jolly, Al Harris and rookie B.J. Raji have been fined US$5,000 each by the NFL for actions in last Sunday's loss to Minnesota.
Green Bay Packers Johnny Jolly, Al Harris and rookie B.J. Raji have been fined $5,000 each by the NFL for actions in last Sunday's loss to Minnesota. Defensive tackle Jolly was fined on Friday for unnecessary roughness for head-butting Minnesota running back Chester Taylor. Cornerback Harris was fined for unnecessary roughness for grabbing a helmet-opening to make a tackle, and DT Raji was fined…
ALLEN PARK, Mich. – Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz says he's optimistic that wide receiver Calvin Johnson and running back Kevin Smith will play Sunday at Seattle.
Riding a three-game losing streak, the New York Giants decided Friday to insert Aaron Rouse into the starting lineup at safety for Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers.