FLASHUPDATE WEEK 11 TEAM NOTES/Wednesday, 16 November 2005
Compiled By FlashUpdate Editor Bob Harris
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ARIZONA CARDINALS
According to ArizonaRepublic staffer Bob McManaman, receiver Anquan Boldin plans to test his injured knee in practice on Wednesday and if swelling and soreness are minimal, he said he expects to be available for Sunday's game in St. Louis against the Rams.
"I'm going to test it out this week and see how it responds and we'll go from there," said Boldin, who suffered a contusion Oct. 30 against the Cowboys. "If fit doesn't swell, which I don't think it will, I'll take the next step.
"Right now, it's just a matter of getting back on the field and I knew there was going to be a time when I'd get back out there. ... Your body tells you when you're ready to go, and I think I'm at that point right now."
Head coach Dennis Green said fellow wideout Bryant Johnson (shoulder) probably won't be ready to play, but that he liked what he saw from rookie wideout LeRon McCoy in Sunday's loss to the Lions. ...
Meanwhile, in attempting to lead the team to a comeback victory over the Lions, Kurt Warner completed 29 of 45 passes for a season-high 359 yards, along with one touchdown and no interceptions in Detroit.
In addition, the 34-year-old quarterback avoided being sacked for the first time in five games this season.
With Boldin and Johnson out, Larry Fitzgerald again was forced to step up his game and serve as Warner's primary target in the Cardinals' passing attack. The second-year receiver did not disappoint, hauling in nine passes for 141 yards and a touchdown.
It was his fifth 100-yard outing of the season and second in a row.
While Boldin's return would undoubtedly provide a boost for Warner, Fitzgerald and the entire passing attack, the Cardinals still can't run the ball.
As Republic beat man Kent Somers suggested Monday, the first goal of any running game should be to avoid negative plays, and the Cardinals season has been full of them.
Detroit's defensive tackles dominated Arizona's offensive line last Sunday, sometimes overpowering Nick Leckey and Alex Stepanovich.
Somers went on to warn readers the run game could get worse now that left guard Reggie Wells is out for the year after suffering a dislocated and fractured left ankle. He'll be replaced by Adam Haayer. That means the team's three interior line positions have changed in each of the past three weeks.
In a related note. ... Marcel Shipp had more on his mind Sunday than one of the worst performance's in his NFL career.
His father died of cancer a week ago, and Shipp attended the funeral Friday, missing Thursday's practice. He met the team in Detroit.
The stress of last week probably was responsible for Shipp not playing up to par Sunday, Green said.
"I think it was tough on him," said Green.
Shipp had four carries for 3 yards in the first half and didn't have a carry in the second half. J.J. Arrington took over, but Shipp will remain the starter for this week's game in St. Louis, Green said.
"You don't know how hard it is to prepare for a game and go through things like that," Shipp said.
Oh. ... By the way, the Cardinals got their first rushing touchdown of the season on Sunday when Arrington scored from a yard out. ... In Week 10.
And finally. ... As Somers correctly pointed out on Monday, Neil Rackers is more than just a kicker, he's an athlete, too. Rackers made two key tackles on kickoffs Sunday, showing surprising speed.
He's pretty good at his main job, too.
He made both of his field goals, a 51-yarder and 28-yarder, to give him 28 consecutive successful attempts this season.
Rackers has now kicked at least two field goals in a game for the 10th consecutive time, dating to the final game of the 2004 season. It's the first time a kicker has accomplished the feat in nine years (Cary Blanchard, Colts, 1996).
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Kurt Warner, Josh McCown, John Navarre
RB: Marcel Shipp, J.J. Arrington, James Jackson
FB: Obafemi Ayanbadejo, Jarrod Baxter, Harold Morrow
WR: Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, LeRon McCoy, Reggie Newhouse, J.J. Moses, Reggie Swinton, Bryant Johnson
TE: Eric Edwards, Adam Bergen, Teyo Johnson
PK: Neil Rackers
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ATLANTA FALCONS
In an article published Monday, Atlanta Journal-Constitution staff writer Steve Hummer reminded readers that a week ago, Michael Vick issued his "Miami Manifesto," essentially telling his critics to put a cork in it. In accordance with these new regulations, we'll let the Falcons themselves handle the critiquing of Sunday's offense.
Tight end Alge Crumpler, as usual, was more vivid than most. "You can't turn the ball over like that. You don't do that to a wounded dog. A wounded dog bites worse than anything else."
In this case, the "wounded dog" referred to were the now 2-7 Packers.
Yes, Vick was a major contributor to the dropsies, having a hand in half of the Falcons' six fumbles (three of them lost). No, the offense could not make enough sustaining plays in the second half to keep pace with the heretofore-woeful Packers, putting together only one late fourth-quarter drive in the 33-25 loss.
And according to Hummer, "Sure enough, when it was done, it was the new-school quarterback tipping his do-rag to old-school Brett Favre, saying, 'That's why he's going to the Hall of Fame.'"
Completing 20 of 30 passes for 209 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, Vick actually finished with a considerably higher quarterback rating (108.9-82.4) than Favre. Yet, it was the offense under Vick's command that insisted upon handing the ball back to Favre.
"We didn't take care of the football, that was the bottom line," Vick said.
"Whether we came out flat, too pumped up, too excited, whatever, it doesn't matter. You got to put points up on the board, and you can't turn the ball over."
Vick was his own harshest critic: "That should never have happened. It happened at a crucial situation in the game. I take the blame for that. It changed the momentum and changed the game; we didn't capitalize on another opportunity."
He wasn't in this alone. Two other fumbles -- Warrick Dunn early and Roddy White late -- were exchanged for Green Bay touchdowns.
No one had to beat Vick up after this one. He preemptively handled those duties. What a difference a week makes in tone.
"We turned the ball over three times and you just can't do that in this league. If you're going to do that, then you might as well shut it down early because you're not going to win the game."
The Packers also did a surprisingly good job of harassing the quarterback. They pressured him from all angles, accounting for three sacks and numerous knockdowns. Contained, he rushed for only 24 yards on seven runs, his long gain only 7 yards.
"They brought the heat, they brought the pressure. But that's a part of football," Vick said. "Internally, we know we can pick up blitzes and different types of schemes that they may bring."
"They did an excellent job of pressuring Mike," head coach Jim Mora said. "We've got to give him a chance to get the ball off, and we didn't do that at times today."
As Hummer summed up: "The critics can take the day off. The Falcons handled that in-house Sunday."
Other notes of interest. ... Crumpler caught five passes for 40 yards but hasn't called for more passes to come his way.
"I know I'm a playmaker," he said. "Every time I get the ball in my hands, I make plays. I'm not ever going to complain about the opportunities that I get. I'm just always going to make sure that when I do get opportunities that I'm taking advantage of them. ..."
T.J. Duckett, who hadn't played since injuring an ankle against the Saints on Oct. 16, rushed four times for 31 yards and caught two passes for 27 yards, including a 19-yarder.
"Not only did he run the ball well, but he was an outlet for [Vick] on a couple of check-downs," Mora said. ...
As expected, starting receiver Michael Jenkins (sprained ankle) was deactivated, allowing Roddy White to make his second-straight start. Jenkins status for this week's game will be determined by his ability to practice.
Roddy White missed Wednesday's practice following an auto accident. According to Mora, White wasn't seriously injured. ... I'll obviously have more on this story when Late-Breaking Updates commence shortly after midnight tonight.
Fullback Fred McCrary was deactivated for the game and rookie free agent Kevin Dudley was signed from the practice squad and served as starter Justin Griffith's backup and played special teams.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Michael Vick, Matt Schaub, Ty Detmer
RB: Warrick Dunn, T.J. Duckett
FB: Justin Griffith, Fred McCrary
WR: Brian Finneran, Roddy White, Jerome Pathon, Dez White, Michael Jenkins
TE: Alge Crumpler, Eric Beverly, Dwayne Blakley
PK: Todd Peterson
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BALTIMORE RAVENS
In an article published Monday, Associated Press sports writer David Ginsburg reminded readers that the last time the Ravens went through a touchdown drought similar to the one they're currently enduring, they ended up in the Super Bowl.
But of course, the playoffs, let alone the Super Bowl, are virtually out of the question for this year' team, which has a much better chance of finishing last in the AFC North.
The Ravens haven't scored a touchdown in 11 straight quarters and have reached the end zone only once in the last 292 minutes -- a stretch that started in the first quarter of Baltimore's last win, 16-3 over Cleveland on Oct. 16.
Baltimore has since lost four straight while being outscored 81-37. The return of Kyle Boller on Sunday did little to change the Ravens' offensive misery; the rusty quarterback threw three interceptions and was sacked four times in a 30-3 loss to Jacksonville.
Next up: a home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have won four in a row to gain of share of first place in the AFC North.
But as Baltimore Sun staffer Jamison Hensley advised us Tuesday, those seeking answers to the Ravens' scoring-challenged offense, prepare to be turned away disappointed, much like head coach Brian Billick's team in the red zone.
Billick said there isn't a need to be more aggressive with the play-calling, indicating he's satisfied with the chances given to throw deep downfield. He said there isn't an easy solution to the running game's problems, explaining the Ravens have exhausted every play a team can run.
And he said there aren't going to be sweeping lineup changes, other than Chester Taylor returning as the third-down back.
The only way to break out of the latest dry spell, Billick suggests, is to simply work harder in practice and execute better in games.
"We're not a good football team right now, but we've got seven opportunities, beginning this week, to change that," a somber Billick said in a postmortem following Sunday's game.
Critics point out that the Ravens have become too predictable in their game plan and too attached to Boller. In his first start since hyperextending his toe in the season opener, Boller threw three interceptions and was sacked four times.
"I'm convinced that Kyle Boller can't play," Shannon Sharpe, a member of the Ravens' 2000 Super Bowl team, said on his Sirius radio show Monday. "I have seen nothing in his mechanics. I've seen nothing in his ability. I've seen nothing that would indicate to me that you can build a franchise around this guy.
"Here's the thing: Kyle Boller plays just good enough to get him cut and you fired -- which is a lose-lose situation."
And as Carroll County Times beat man Aaron Wilson pointed out Monday, Boller appeared to stare down his reads, hearkening back to an alarming preseason. He finished 19 of 33 for 142 yards with no touchdowns and a 30.1 rating.
Billick was candid in his assessment of Boller but was optimistic his three-year starter would improve with more playing time.
"Kyle did not play particularly well," Billick said. "He played like a guy that has been on the bench for seven weeks. He was under a great deal of pressure, and he took a heck of a beating. He forced the ball in a couple places trying to make some plays that didn't turn out [well]. [But] he tends not to come back and make the same mistakes."
Jaguars cornerback Terry Cousin, who intercepted Boller twice, said the problem wasn't necessarily Boller as much as the Ravens' tendencies. He said it was easy to scout the Ravens because they constantly throw to tight end Todd Heap or receiver Derrick Mason, who have accounted for 48.5 percent of the team's catches.
"We watched it on film and coaches and everyone were saying it is the Todd Heap-Derrick Mason show," Cousin said.
The frustrating part for the Ravens is that they envisioned their offense being more than a two-man show. They invested in five first-round picks (Boller, Heap, running back Jamal Lewis and receiver Mark Clayton) and added significant free agents (led by Mason) this offseason.
The result has been seven touchdowns in nine games. Eight players in the NFL have scored more touchdowns than the Ravens.
In fact, taking away three meaningless fourth-quarter scores, the Ravens' offense has managed four legitimate touchdowns while giving up three touchdowns off interception returns.
"It comes to a point where you know you have the talent, but talent without results doesn't mean anything," Mason said. "That's where we're at right now: talent without progress. You could have all the talent in the world, but if you don't make any progress, it's nothing."
One of the biggest questions after the Ravens' season-worst offensive effort Sunday was the absence of Taylor in the offense. Billick said the Ravens couldn't risk playing Taylor after he missed all of last week's practices for personal reasons.
"We thought it would be a lot to put on Chester to be thrown in there with no practice and no preparation," Billick said. "He'll be back into a steady rotation and be a big part of the game plan this week."
Instead of Taylor, was is averaging 5.7 yards every time he touches the ball, Musa Smith, returning 51 weeks after gruesomely breaking his leg, got the snaps behind Lewis against the Jags.
Meanwhile, Clayton, his development delayed by a sprained ankle that cost him two games, also got more looks than he has before. It didn't amount to much (one carry on an end-around for no gain, two catches for 3 yards, one fourth-quarter pass sent his way that was underthrown and picked off).
And finally. ... Tight end Terry Jones was quietly released last Saturday. Jones, who was in his fourth season with the Ravens, had started 29 games, including 10 last season in the team's two tight-end formation.
But Jones has fallen behind Heap, Daniel Wilcox and Darnell Dinkins on the depth chart.
"Terry has been so great for us," Billick said. "He's a great young man. All he does is come to work every day. He does his job. We're obviously deep at tight end. Terry has only been up two or three times on the [game-day] active 45."
Jones has 50 catches for 417 yards and five touchdowns in his career.
DEPTH CHART AS OF WEDNESDAY AT 14:00 PT
QB: Kyle Boller, Anthony Wright
RB: Jamal Lewis, Chester Taylor, Musa Smith
FB: Ovie Mughelli, Justin Green
WR: Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton, Randy Hymes, Patrick Johnson, Clarence Moore, Devard Darling
TE: Todd Heap, Daniel Wilcox, Darnell Dinkins
PK: Matt Stover, Aaron Elling
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BUFFALO BILLS
According to the Associated Press, Kelly Holcomb was still having headaches Monday, the day after suffering a concussion in Buffalo's 14-3 win over Kansas City. Making his fifth consecutive start since replacing Losman at quarterback, Holcomb did not return after he was hurt in the second quarter when he was sacked by the Chiefs' Jared Allen.
J.P. Losman took over, making his first appearance since losing his job, and threw two touchdown passes as Buffalo stayed a game behind the AFC East-leading New England Patriots.
Head coach Mike Mularkey said he hasn't determined whether Holcomb or Losman will start in San Diego on Sunday. Mularkey said that Holcomb's health and how much he can practice this week will factor into his decision.
"He had a headache this morning, which doesn't surprise any of us," Mularkey said of the 32-year-old Holcomb. "Any injury to the head, neck, back, you have to be very cautious, and that's what we're going to do with Kelly.
"I think he's better today, but not totally clear. We'll see for Wednesday."
Losman would obviously get the start if Holcomb is not sufficiently recovered. However, Mularkey did not say what he might do if Holcomb comes back with a clear head and no concussion symptoms and is ready to go.
"I think it's going to come down to a couple things," the coach said. "First of all, Kelly's health; let's see how he is. And we all are in the process of studying San Diego, seeing how extensive they are and what they do defensively. ..."